Doorbell communication systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An electronic doorbell can include an outer housing configurable to couple to a building. The doorbell can also include a camera coupled to the outer housing and a microphone coupled to the outer housing. The doorbell can also include a button coupled to the outer housing. The electronic doorbell can be configurable to wirelessly communicate with an appliance located within the building.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/983,137;filed Aug. 3, 2020; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/214,451;filed Jul. 20, 2016; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/861,613; filed Sep. 22, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,044,519 onAug. 7, 2018; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/737,411; filed Jun. 11, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,160,987 onOct. 13, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL CHIME SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/724,723; filed May 28, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,108 onNov. 3, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL CHIME SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/724,702; filed May 28, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,107 onNov. 3, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL CHIME SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/161,616;filed May 14, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL CHIME SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/695,436; filed Apr. 24, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,196,133 onNov. 24, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/684,302; filed Apr. 10, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,113,052 onAug. 18, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/726,517; filed May 30, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,109 onNov. 3, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/664,345; filed Mar. 20, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,118,819 onAug. 25, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/127,660;filed Mar. 3, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/135,133;filed Mar. 18, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,050;filed Jun. 23, 2014; and entitled IDENTITY VERIFICATION USING A SOCIALNETWORK.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,053;filed Jun. 23, 2014; and entitled IDENTITY VERIFICATION USING A SOCIALNETWORK AND A NAME OF A VISITOR.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,057;filed Jun. 23, 2014; and entitled IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF FREQUENT ANDNON-FREQUENT VISITORS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/158,750;filed May 8, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/612,376; filed Feb. 3, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,058,738 onJun. 16, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/589,830; filed Jan. 5, 2015; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,104 onJun. 16, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/502,601; filed Sep. 30, 2014; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,094,584 onJul. 28, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/492,809; filed Sep. 22, 2014; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,065,987 onJun. 23, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/275,811; filed May 12, 2014; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,872,915 onOct. 28, 2014; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/142,839; filed Dec. 28, 2013; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,842,140 onSep. 23, 2014; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/099,888; filed Dec. 6, 2013; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,823,795 onSep. 2, 2014; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/098,772; filed Dec. 6, 2013; issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,780,201 onJul. 15, 2014; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/872,439;filed Aug. 30, 2013; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/859,070;filed Jul. 26, 2013; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated hereinby reference: International Application No. PCT/US14/53506; filed Aug.29, 2014 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and entitledDOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated hereinby reference: International Application No. PCT/US14/47622; filed Jul.22, 2014 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and entitledDOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

BACKGROUND Field

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to doorbells. Certainembodiments relate to communication between a person near a doorbell anda person in another location.

Description of Related Art

Homes, offices, and other buildings sometimes include communication andsurveillance systems to enable friendly visitors to summon occupants ofthe buildings and to deter unwanted visitors. Communication andsurveillance systems can include video cameras and doorbells.

Doorbells can enable a person located outside of an entry point, such asa door, to alert a person inside of an entry point that someone outsidewould like to talk to someone inside. Doorbells sometimes include abutton located near a door, such as a front door, side door, or backdoor of a home, office, dwelling, warehouse, building, or structure.Doorbells are sometimes used near a gate or some other entrance to apartially enclosed area. Pushing the doorbell sometimes causes a chimeor other alerting sound to be emitted. In some cases, this alertingsound can typically be heard within a short distance from the entrypoint or sound source. For example, a homeowner located remotely fromher home likely would not be able to hear the alerting sound, and thus,would not be aware that someone is ringing her doorbell. Thus, there isa need for devices and methods to alert remotely located individualsthat someone seeks the attention of the homeowner, tenant, buildingguardian, or steward.

SUMMARY

The disclosure includes an electronic doorbell comprising an outerhousing configurable to couple to a building. The doorbell can include acamera coupled to the outer housing. The camera can be configurable tocapture an image. The doorbell can also include a microphone coupled tothe outer housing. The microphone can be configurable to audibly detecta noise. Even still, the doorbell can include a button coupled to theouter housing. The button can be configurable to enable a visitor tosound an electronic chime.

In some embodiments, the electronic doorbell is configurable towirelessly communicate with an appliance located within the building.The electronic doorbell can be configurable to display the imagecaptured by the camera on a display screen of the appliance. Theelectronic doorbell can also be configurable to emit the noise detectedby the microphone on a speaker of the appliance.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the electronic doorbell isconfigurable to wirelessly transmit a visitor alert to the appliance.The visitor alert can comprise one of a notification that a visitor ispresent at the electronic doorbell and a notification that the visitorhas left a message via the electronic doorbell. The visitor alert can besent from the doorbell to the appliance via the wireless network of thebuilding.

Even still, in some embodiments, the visitor alert comprises an audiblenotification emitted by a speaker of the appliance. As well, the visitoralert can comprise a visual notification displayed by a display screenof the appliance. The visual notification can comprise at least one of avideo and a still image. The video can be sent from the doorbell to theappliance via the wireless network of the building.

In some embodiments, the electronic doorbell is configurable to receivea wireless notification from the appliance. When the electronic doorbellreceives the wireless notification at least one of the camera andmicrophone can change from a sleep mode to an alert mode that consumesmore power than the sleep mode. The electronic doorbell can also beconfigured to allow two-way audio communication between the applianceand the electronic doorbell via a communication hub.

Furthermore, the disclosures include an electronic doorbell systemcomprising an electronic doorbell having an outer housing configurableto couple to a building. The doorbell system can include a cameracoupled to the outer housing, a microphone coupled to the outer housing,and a button coupled to the outer housing. The button can beconfigurable to enable a visitor to sound an electronic chime. Thedoorbell system can also include an appliance configurable to wirelesslycommunicate with the doorbell and a visitor alert received by theappliance. The visitor alert can comprise one of a notification that avisitor is present at the electronic doorbell and a notification thatthe visitor has left a message via the electronic doorbell.

In some embodiments, the appliance is located within the building.Additionally, the appliance can comprise at least one of a refrigerator,range, microwave, dishwasher, laundry machine, dryer, and vacuum.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, a communication hub communicativelycouples the electronic doorbell to the appliance. The doorbell systemcan also include the electronic chime communicatively coupled to thecommunication hub, and a remote computing device communicatively coupledto the communication hub.

Even still, in some embodiments, the doorbell system can comprise afirst audible message received by the microphone of the electronicdoorbell. The first audible message can be emitted by a speaker of theappliance. In some embodiments, the doorbell system can include a secondaudible message received by a microphone of the appliance. The secondaudible message can be emitted by a speaker of the electronic doorbell.Furthermore, the electronic doorbell system can include a third audiblemessage received by a microphone of the remote computing device. Thethird audible message can be emitted by the speaker of the appliance andthe speaker of the electronic doorbell.

The disclosure includes yet another electronic doorbell systemcomprising an electronic doorbell having an outer housing configurableto couple to a building, a camera coupled to the outer housing, amicrophone coupled to the outer housing, and a button coupled to theouter housing. The button can be configurable to enable a visitor tosound an electronic chime. The doorbell system can also include anaudible message received by at least one of a speaker of a remotecomputing device and a speaker of an appliance located within a buildingto which the electronic doorbell is coupled. In some embodiments, theaudible message is not emitted by a speaker of the electronic doorbell.The audible message can comprise at least one of a predetermined wordand a predetermined message.

In some embodiments, the electronic doorbell system comprises an actionperformed by the electronic doorbell. The action can be performed inresponse to the system receiving the audible message. The action cancomprise at least one of recording an image with the camera of theelectronic doorbell, recording a noise with the microphone of theelectronic doorbell, emitting a predetermined message from the speakerof the electronic doorbell, and illuminating a light coupled to thebuilding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described belowwith reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, butnot to limit, the invention. In the drawings, like reference charactersdenote corresponding features consistently throughout similarembodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a communication system, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computing device running software, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which a security system is connectedto a building, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a communication system that includes a securitysystem, a doorbell button, a wireless router, a server, and users,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method of operating asecurity system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing another method of operating asecurity system, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate visitors being detected by securitysystems, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a security system that iscommunicatively coupled to a communication system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of various event detection devicesthat are communicatively coupled to a communication system, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method of monitoring for an eventthrough a communication system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of various alarm types that may be usedbased on the certainty and severity of the event, according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28illustrate flow diagrams showing methods of operating a security system,according to various embodiments.

FIG. 29 illustrates a back view of the doorbell from FIG. 1 without amounting bracket, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 30 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a doorbell and a doorbellcontrol software application running on a computing device, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 31 illustrates a front view of a doorbell chime, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 32 illustrates a side perspective view of a doorbell chime,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 33 illustrates a front view of a doorbell chime coupled to a poweroutlet, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 34, 35, and 36 illustrate diagrammatic views view of doorbellsystems, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 37 illustrates a back view of a chime without a back cover to showvarious components of the chime's electrical system, according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 illustrate flowcharts of methods,according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 illustrate a front view of the electronicdoorbell, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventivesubject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments toother alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications andequivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto isnot limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. Forexample, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts oroperations of the method or process may be performed in any suitablesequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosedsequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discreteoperations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understandingcertain embodiments; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described hereinmay be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects andadvantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all suchaspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus,for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as mayalso be taught or suggested herein.

The following patent is incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No.7,583,191, entitled SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE OF SAME, andfiled Nov. 14, 2006.

Introduction

Communication systems can provide a secure and convenient way for aremotely located individual to communicate with a person who isapproaching a sensor, such as a proximity sensor or motion sensor, orwith a person who rings a doorbell, which can be located in a doorway,near an entrance, or within 15 feet of a door. Some communicationsystems allow an individual to hear, see, and talk with visitors whoapproach at least a portion of the communication system and/or press abutton, such as a doorbell's button. For example, communication systemscan use a computing device to enable a remotely located person to see,hear, and/or talk with visitors. Computing devices can includecomputers, laptops, tablets, mobile devices, smartphones, cellularphones, and wireless devices (e.g., cars with wireless communication).Example computing devices include the iPhone, iPad, iMac, MacBook Air,and MacBook Pro made by Apple Inc. Communication between a remotelylocated person and a visitor can occur via the Internet, cellularnetworks, telecommunication networks, and wireless networks.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a communication system embodiment.The communication system 200 can include a security system 202 (e.g., adoorbell) and a computing device 204. Although the illustrated securitysystem 202 includes many components in one housing, several securitysystem embodiments include components in separate housings. The securitysystem 202 can include a camera assembly 208 and a doorbell button 212.The camera assembly 208 can be a video camera, which in some embodimentsis a webcam.

The security system 202 can include a diagnostic light 216 and a powerindicator light 220. In some embodiments, the diagnostic light 216 is afirst color (e.g., blue) if the security system 202 and/or thecommunication system 200 is connected to a wireless Internet network andis a second color (e.g., red) if the security system 202 and/or thecommunication system 200 is not connected to a wireless Internetnetwork. In some embodiments, the power indicator 220 is a first colorif the security system 202 is connected to a power source. The powersource can be power supplied by the building 300 to which the securitysystem 202 is attached. In some embodiments, the power indicator 220 isa second color or does not emit light if the security system 202 is notconnected to the power source.

As well, the security system 202 can include at least one speaker 488.The speaker 488 can be located along any portion of the security system202. For example, the speaker 488 can be located within an inner portionof the security system 202 or along an outer portion of the securitysystem 202. The speaker 488 can be any type of sound output deviceconfigured to emit sound, such as a digital speaker, an analog speaker,and the like.

Furthermore, the security system 202 (e.g., a doorbell) can include anouter housing 224, which can be water resistant and/or waterproof. Theouter housing can be made from metal or plastic, such as molded plasticwith a hardness of 60 Shore D. In some embodiments, the outer housing224 is made from brushed nickel or aluminum.

Rubber seals can be used to make the outer housing 224 water resistantor waterproof. The security system 202 can be electrically coupled to apower source, such as wires electrically connected to a building'selectrical power system. In some embodiments, the security system 202includes a battery for backup and/or primary power.

Wireless communication 230 can enable the security system 202 (e.g., adoorbell) to communicate with the computing device 204. Some embodimentsenable communication via cellular and/or WiFi networks. Some embodimentsenable communication via the Internet. Several embodiments enable wiredcommunication between the security system 202 and the computing device204. The wireless communication 230 can include the followingcommunication means: radio, WiFi (e.g., wireless local area network),cellular, Internet, Bluetooth, telecommunication, electromagnetic,infrared, light, sonic, and microwave. Other communication means areused by some embodiments. In some embodiments, such as embodiments thatinclude telecommunication or cellular communication means, the securitysystem 202 can initiate voice calls or send text messages to a computingdevice 204 (e.g., a smartphone, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, alaptop computer).

Several embodiments use near field communication (NFC) to communicatebetween the computing device 204 and the doorbell 202. The doorbell 202and/or the computing device 204 can include a NFC tag. Some NFCtechnologies include Bluetooth, radio-frequency identification, and QRcodes.

Some embodiments include computer software (e.g., application software),which can be a mobile application designed to run on smartphones, tabletcomputers, and other mobile devices. Software of this nature issometimes referred to as “app” software. Some embodiments includesoftware designed to run on desktop computers and laptop computers.

The computing device 204 can run software with a graphical userinterface. The user interface can include icons or buttons. In someembodiments, the software is configured for use with a touch-screencomputing device such as a smartphone or tablet.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computing device 204 running software. The softwareincludes a user interface 240 displayed on a display screen 242. Theuser interface 240 can include a security system indicator 244, whichcan indicate the location of the security system that the user interfaceis displaying. For example, a person can use one computing device 204 tocontrol and/or interact with multiple security systems, such as onesecurity system located at a front door and another security systemlocated at a back door. Selecting the security system indicator 244 canallow the user to choose another security system (e.g., the back doorsecurity system rather than the front door security system).

The user interface 240 can include a connectivity indicator 248. In someembodiments, the connectivity indicator can indicate whether thecomputing device is in communication with a security system, theInternet, and/or a cellular network. The connectivity indicator 248 canalert the user if the computing device 204 has lost its connection withthe security system 202; the security system 202 has been damaged; thesecurity system 202 has been stolen; the security system 202 has beenremoved from its mounting location; the security system 202 lostelectrical power; and/or if the computing device 204 cannot communicatewith the security system 202. In some embodiments, the connectivityindicator 248 alerts the user of the computing device 204 by flashing,emitting a sound, displaying a message, and/or displaying a symbol.

In some embodiments, if the security system 202 loses power, losesconnectivity to the computing device 204, loses connectivity to theInternet, and/or loses connectivity to a remote server, a remote server206 sends an alert (e.g., phone call, text message, image on the userinterface 240) regarding the power and/or connectivity issue. In severalembodiments, the remote server 206 can manage communication between thesecurity system 202 and the computing device. In some embodiments,information from the security system 202 is stored by the remote server206. In several embodiments, information from the security system 202 isstored by the remote server 206 until the information can be sent to thecomputing device 204, uploaded to the computing device 204, and/ordisplayed to the remotely located person via the computing device 204.The remote server 206 can be a computing device that stores informationfrom the security system 202 and/or from the computing device 204. Insome embodiments, the remote server 206 is located in a data center.

In some embodiments, the computing device 204 and/or the remote server206 attempts to communicate with the security system 202. If thecomputing device 204 and/or the remote server 206 is unable tocommunicate with the security system 202, the computing device 204and/or the remote server 206 alerts the remotely located person via thesoftware, phone, text, a displayed message, and/or a website. In someembodiments, the computing device 204 and/or the remote server 206attempts to communicate with the security system 202 periodically; atleast every five hours and/or less than every 10 minutes; at least every24 hours and/or less than every 60 minutes; or at least every hourand/or less than every second.

In some embodiments, the server 206 can initiate communication to thecomputer device 204 and/or to the security system 202. In severalembodiments, the server 206 can initiate, control, and/or blockcommunication between the computing device 204 and the security system202.

In several embodiments, a user can log into an “app,” website, and/orsoftware on a computing device (e.g., mobile computing device,smartphone, tablet, desktop computer) to adjust the security systemsettings discussed herein.

In some embodiments, a computing device can enable a user to watch livevideo and/or hear live audio from a security system due to the user'srequest rather than due to actions of a visitor. Some embodimentsinclude a computing device initiating a live video feed (or a video feedthat is less than five minutes old).

In some embodiments, the user interface 240 displays an image 252 suchas a still image or a video of an area near and/or in front of thesecurity system 202. The image 252 can be taken by the camera assembly208 and stored by the security system 202, server 206, and/or computingdevice 204. The user interface 240 can include a recording button 256 toenable a user to record images, videos, and/or sound from the cameraassembly 208, microphone of the security system 202, and/or microphoneof the computing device 204.

In several embodiments, the user interface 240 includes a picture button260 to allow the user to take still pictures and/or videos of the areanear and/or in front of the security system 202. The user interface 240can also include a sound adjustment button 264 and a mute button 268.The user interface 240 can include camera manipulation buttons such aszoom, pan, and light adjustment buttons. In some embodiments, the cameraassembly 208 automatically adjusts between Day Mode and Night Mode. Someembodiments include an infrared camera and/or infrared lights toilluminate an area near the security system 202 to enable the cameraassembly 208 to provide sufficient visibility (even at night).

In some embodiments, buttons include diverse means of selecting variousoptions, features, and functions. Buttons can be selected by mouseclicks, keyboard commands, and touching a touch screen. Many embodimentsinclude buttons that can be selected without touch screens.

In some embodiments, the user interface 240 includes a quality selectionbutton, which can allow a user to select the quality and/or amount ofthe data transmitted from the security system 202 to the computingdevice 204 and/or from the computing device 204 to the security system202.

In some embodiments, video can be sent to and/or received from thecomputing device 204 using video chat protocols such as FaceTime (byApple Inc.) or Skype (by Microsoft Corporation). In some embodiments,these videos are played by videoconferencing apps on the computingdevice 204 instead of being played by the user interface 240.

The user interface 240 can include a termination button 276 to endcommunication between the security system 202 and the computing device204. In some embodiments, the termination button 276 ends the ability ofthe person located near the security system 202 (i.e., the visitor) tohear and/or see the user of the computing device 204, but does not endthe ability of the user of the computing device 204 to hear and/or seethe person located near the security system 202.

In some embodiments, a button 276 is both an answer button (to accept acommunication request from a visitor) and is a termination button (toend communication between the security system 202 and the computingdevice 204). The button 276 can include the word “Answer” when thesystem is attempting to establish two-way communication between thevisitor and the user. Selecting the button 276 when the system isattempting to establish two-way communication between the visitor andthe user can start two-way communication. The button 276 can include thewords “End Call” during two-way communication between the visitor andthe user. Selecting the button 276 during two-way communication betweenthe visitor and the user can terminate two-way communication. In someembodiments, terminating two-way communication still enables the user tosee and hear the visitor. In some embodiments, terminating two-waycommunication causes the computing device 204 to stop showing video fromthe security system and to stop emitting sounds recorded by the securitysystem.

In some embodiments, the user interface 240 opens as soon as thesecurity system detects a visitor (e.g., senses indications of avisitor). Once the user interface 240 opens, the user can see and/orhear the visitor even before “answering” or otherwise accepting two-waycommunication, in several embodiments.

Some method embodiments include detecting a visitor with a securitysystem. The methods can include causing the user interface to display ona remote computing device 204 due to the detection of the visitor (e.g.,with or without user interaction). The methods can include displayingvideo from the security system and/or audio from the security systembefore the user accepts two-way communication with the visitor. Themethods can include displaying video from the security system and/oraudio from the security system before the user accepts the visitor'scommunication request. The methods can include the computing devicesimultaneously asking the user if the user wants to accept (e.g.,answer) the communication request and displaying audio and/or video ofthe visitor. For example, in some embodiments, the user can see and hearthe visitor via the security system before opening a means of two-waycommunication with the visitor.

In some embodiments, the software includes means to start the video feedon demand. For example, a user of the computing device might wonder whatis happening near the security system 202. The user can open thesoftware application on the computing device 204 and instruct theapplication to show live video and/or audio from the security device 202even if no event near the security system 202 has triggered thecommunication.

In several embodiments, the security device 202 can be configured torecord when the security device 202 detects movement and/or the presenceof a person. The user of the computing device 204 can later review allvideo and/or audio records when the security device 202 detectedmovement and/or the presence of a person.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the server 206 controlscommunication between the computing device 204 and the security system202, which can be a doorbell with a camera, a microphone, and a speaker.In several embodiments, the server 206 does not control communicationbetween the computing device 204 and the security system 202.

In some embodiments, data captured by the security system and/or thecomputing device 204 (such as videos, pictures, and audio) is stored byanother remote device such as the server 206. Cloud storage, enterprisestorage, and/or networked enterprise storage can be used to store video,pictures, and/or audio from the communication system 200 or from anypart of the communication system 200. The user can download and/orstream stored data and/or storage video, pictures, and/or audio. Forexample, a user can record visitors for a year and then later can reviewconversations with visitors from the last year. In some embodiments,remote storage, the server 206, the computing device 204, and/or thesecurity system 202 can store information and statistics regardingvisitors and usage.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which a doorbell 202 is connected toa building 300, which can include an entryway 310 that has a door 254. Avisitor 388 can approach the doorbell 202 and then can be detected bythe doorbell 202. The visitor 388 can press the doorbell button 212. Theuser of the doorbell 202 can configure the doorbell 202 such that whenthe visitor 388 presses the doorbell button 212, the user receives anotification regarding the visitor 388.

Electrical wires 304 can electrically couple the doorbell 202 to theelectrical system of the building 300 such that the doorbell 202 canreceive electrical power from the building 300. The building can includea door lock 250 to lock the door 254.

A wireless network 308 can allow devices to wirelessly access theInternet. The security system 202 can access the Internet via thewireless network 308. The wireless network 308 can transmit data fromthe security system 202 to the Internet, which can transmit the data toremotely located computing devices 204. The Internet and wirelessnetworks can transmit data from remotely located computing devices 204to the security system 202. In some embodiments, a security system 202connects to a home's WiFi.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , one computing device 204 (e.g., a laptop, asmartphone, a mobile computing device, a television) can communicatewith multiple security systems 202. In some embodiments, multiplecomputing devices 204 can communicate with one security system 202.

In some embodiments, the security system 202 can communicate (e.g.,wirelessly 230) with a television 306, which can be a smart television.Users can view the television 306 to see a visitor and/or talk with thevisitor.

FIG. 4 illustrates a communication system 310 that includes a securitysystem 320, a doorbell button 212, a WiFi router 328, a server 332, andusers 336. In step 340, a visitor initiates a communication request bypressing the doorbell button 212 or triggering a motion or proximitysensor. The visitor can trigger the motion or proximity sensor byapproaching the security system 320. In step 350, the security system320 connects or otherwise communicates with a home WiFi router 328. Instep 360, the server 332 receives a signal from the WiFi router 328 andsends video and/or audio to the users 336 via a wireless network 364. Instep 370, the users see the visitor, hear the visitor, and talk with thevisitor. Step 370 can include using a software application to see, hear,and/or talk with the visitor. The visitor and users 336 can engage intwo-way communication 374 via the internet or other wirelesscommunication system even when the visitor and the users 336 are locatedfar away from each other. Some embodiments enable users to receivecommunication requests and communicate with visitors via diverse mobilecommunication standards including third generation (“3G”), fourthgeneration (“4G”), long term evolution (“LTE”), worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (“WiMAX”), and WiFi.

In some cases, the users 336 utilize the communication system 310 tocommunicate with visitors who are in close proximity to the users 336.For example, a user 336 located inside her home can communicate with avisitor located just outside the home via the communication system 310.

FIG. 29 illustrates an internal view of the doorbell 202. Doorbells 202can include a chip 480 (e.g., integrated circuits, microprocessor,computer) and a memory 492. Doorbells 202 can also include a microphone484 and a speaker 488. The speaker 488 can comprise a flat speaker and asound chamber 460 configured to amplify an emitted sound. The flatspeaker can be located in the sound chamber. Some doorbell embodimentsinclude a proximity sensor 500. In several embodiments, doorbells 202include a wireless communication module 504, such as a WiFi module. Thecommunication module 504 can have an integrated antenna. In someembodiments, an antenna is contained within the outer housing 224.

The doorbell 202 can include one or more heating elements 508 configuredto regulate the temperature of the doorbell 202. For example, doorbells202 can be used in very cold environments, such as in Alaska. Theheating element 508 can be used in various methods to protecttemperature sensitive portions of the doorbell 202 from cold weather.

While protecting the doorbell 202 from cold weather can be important insome embodiments, protecting visitors from excessive heat can also beimportant in some embodiments. Excessive heat could burn visitors asthey “ring” the doorbell (e.g., press the doorbell button 212 shown inFIG. 35 ). The doorbell 202 can include a thermometer 512 to enable thesystem to determine the temperature inside a portion of the doorbell 202and/or outside the doorbell 202.

Several embodiments can be configured for 9 to 40 volts alternatingcurrent (“VAC”) and/or 9 to 40 volts direct current (“VDC”). Someembodiments convert input electricity into direct current (DC), such as12 VDC. Several embodiments include a converter 494 for power conversion(e.g., converting electrical energy from one form to another). Theconverter 494 can convert input power (e.g., from wiring in a building)to a suitable power form for the doorbell 202. The power conversion canconvert between AC and DC, change the voltage, and/or change thefrequency. The converter 494 can include a transformer and/or a voltageregulator. In several embodiments, the converter 494 can include a DC toDC converter, a voltage stabilizer, a linear regulator, a surgeprotector, a rectifier, a power supply unit, a switch, an inverter,and/or a voltage converter. In some embodiments, the converter 494converts 50 Hertz (“Hz”) power into 60 Hz power.

The electrical components of the doorbell 202 (e.g., the camera assembly208, the memory 492, the chip 480, the speaker 488, the converter 494,the microphone 484, the lights 458, the rectifier 524, the proximitysensor 500, the communication module 504, the heating element 508, theelectrical connectors 510, the thermometer 512, the image analysissystem 520, and the battery 642) can be electrically coupled to aprinted circuit board (“PCB”) 516 and can receive electrical power fromthe PCB 516.

The PCB 516 and the electrical components of the doorbell 202 can be theelectrical system 456 of the doorbell 202. Additional details regardingthe PCB 516 and the electrical components of the doorbell 202 aredescribed in U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/612,376;filed Feb. 3, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS. The entire contents of patent application Ser. No. 14/612,376are incorporated by reference herein.

Although some embodiments are described in the context of methods, themethod embodiments can also be formulated as devices and systems.Methods described herein can be applied to the devices and systemsincorporated by references herein.

Situational Sound Embodiments

The security system 202 may be configured to play unique sounds inresponse to detecting specific situations and/or during certain times ofday. The sounds may be preprogrammed sounds or completely customizableby a user of the security system 202. As well, the security system 202may be configured to play any of the sounds according to specificsituations. For example, the security system 202 may be configured toplay a specific message for a specific visiting individual, and/or maybe configured to play a specific message when a potential visitor isidentified as a specific person or is included in a list of specificpeople.

The security system 202 may include a speaker 488 configured to emit anytype of sound. The security system 202 may also include a visitordetection system that may include at least one of a button 212, a camera208, and a motion detector 218. Accordingly, the visitor detectionsystem may be configurable to receive various indications of a visitor'spresence. As well, the speaker 488 and the visitor detection system maybe directly or indirectly coupled to the security system 202. Evenstill, the speaker 488 and the visitor detection system may bemechanically, electrically, and/or communicatively coupled to thesecurity system 202.

The security system 202 may detect different indications of a visitor'spresence. As shown in FIG. 5 , the security system 202 can be configuredto receive a first indication of a visitor's presence (at step 560). Inresponse to receiving the first indication of the visitor's presence,the security system 202 can emit a first sound with the speaker 488 (atstep 562). The security system 202 can be configured to receive a secondindication of a visitor's presence (at step 564). In response toreceiving the second indication of the visitor's presence, the securitysystem 202 can emit a second sound with the speaker 488 (at step 566).The first sound can be audibly different than the second sound.

Some of the indications can be interpreted as being associated with afriendly or welcome visitor, while other indications can be interpretedas being associated with an unfriendly or unwelcome visitor. Accordingto these different indications, the security system 202, by the speaker488, can emit different sounds.

With reference to FIG. 7 , when the security system 202 receives anindication that a visitor 580 has pressed the button 212 (at step 582),this can be interpreted as an indication of a friendly, or welcomevisitor. In response to receiving the indication that the button 212 hasbeen pressed, the speaker 488 can emit a first sound (at step 584), suchas a friendly sound (e.g. “Welcome to our humble abode.”).

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , when the security system 202 receives anindication that a visitor 586 has been moving in front of the securitysystem 202 for a prolonged or predetermined time (e.g. 15 seconds or anytime that indicates that the visitor is loitering) without pressing thebutton 212 (at step 588), this can be interpreted as an unfriendly orunwelcome visitor. In response to receiving the indication that thevisitor has been moving in front of the security system 202 withoutpressing the button 212, the speaker 488 can emit a second sound (atstep 590). The second sound can be an alert sound (e.g. a warning tomove away from the building 300—“Step away from the house!”). It shouldbe appreciated that the security system 202 can be configured to emitany number of sounds, such as a third sound, a fourth sound, a fifthsound, and any number of additional sounds.

The security system 202 can be configured to receive any number ofindications. For example, in addition to a button press and a motion ofa visitor, the indications can include indications of a remote computingdevice 204, a noise, a thermal signature (such as a thermal gradientindicating the presence of a person or animal), a retina scan, afingerprint scan, a ground vibration, and the like. It should beappreciated that the indication can include any indication of a presenceof any visitor, such as a person or animal.

In some embodiments, the security system 202 can emit different soundsfor a first visitor. For example, as the first visitor approaches thebuilding 300, the security system 202 can emit a first sound based uponthe motion of the first visitor. As well, the security system 202 canemit a second sound once the first visitor pushes the button 212 of thesecurity system 202.

Furthermore, any of the indications described in this disclosure can beassociated with a visitor that is either welcome or unwelcome at thebuilding. Accordingly, the security system 202 can be configured to anyenvironment in which the building 300 is situated. For example, somebuildings 300 can be located in high traffic areas where it is commonfor people to walk by the front of the security system 202 withoutpressing the button 212. In this regard, the security system 202 can beconfigured to ignore indications of motion and only emit sounds inresponse to affirmative indications that the visitor is visiting thebuilding 300, such as an indication that the button 212 has beenpressed. In some embodiments, the security system 202 can be configuredto only respond to motion in certain zones. For example, if the securitysystem 202 is located 20 feet from a busy sidewalk, then the securitysystem 202 can be configured to ignore all motion that occurs more than15 feet from the security system 202. In this manner, the securitysystem 202 can only respond to movements occurring on the buildingproperty.

As well, combinations of indications can be interpreted in variousmanners. For example, a combination of an indication of motion (i.e.movement) of a visitor in front of the security system 202 and anindication that the visitor has pressed the button 212 can indicate thatthe visitor is welcome at the building 300. As previously described, thespeaker 488 of the security system 202 can emit a friendly message inresponse to the combination of indications.

Even still, the security system 202 can be configured to emit differentsounds in response to a positive detection of one indication and anegative detection of another indication. For example, if the securitysystem 202 detects motion of a visitor but does not detect sound, thiscan be interpreted as an unwelcome visitor, such as a prowler sneakingaround the outside of the building 300. In response, the speaker 488 ofthe security system 202 can emit an alert sound (e.g. a warning to exitthe premise before the authorities are notified).

Furthermore, the time of day and/or day when a visitor approaches thebuilding 300 can also indicate whether the visitor is welcome or not. Asshown in FIG. 6 , the security system 202 can be configured to receivean indication of a visitor's presence at a first time of day (at step570). The first time of day can occur between sunrise and sunset, or anyother time of day. In response to receiving the indication of thevisitor's presence at the first time of day, the security system 202 canemit a first sound with the speaker 488 (at step 572). In someembodiments, the first sound comprises an audible message spoken by afemale voice, while some embodiments may comprise an audible messagespoken by a male voice.

Furthermore, the security system 202 can be configured to receive anindication of the visitor's presence at a second time of day (at step574). It should be appreciated that the second time of day can occurbetween sunset and sunrise, or any other time of day. In response toreceiving the indication of the visitor's presence at the second time ofday, the security system 202 can emit a second sound with the speaker488 (at step 576). In some embodiments, the second sound comprises anaudible message spoken by a male voice, while some embodiments maycomprise an audible message spoken by a female voice.

To illustrate a more specific example, such as the one shown in FIG. 9 ,if a visitor 592 presses the button 212 at noon on a weekend day (atstep 594), the speaker 488 can emit a welcome message (e.g. “Welcome.We'll be right there.) (at step 596). In another example, as illustratedin FIG. 10 , if a visitor 597 presses the button 212 at midnight on aworkday (at step 598), the speaker 488 can emit a do not disturb messageor a message instructing the visitor to come back another time (e.g.“Please come back tomorrow!”).

Combinations of indications can be interpreted differently depending onthe time of day. For example, in response to an indication of a motionand a noise during the day, the speaker 488 of the security system 202can emit a friendly message. However, in response to an indication of amotion and a noise during the night, the speaker 488 can emit a warningmessage.

Even still, the security system 202 can be configured to responddifferently based on the unique circumstances of the indication. Forexample, if the motion detector 218 of the security system 202 detects aslow movement versus a faster movement, then the speaker 488 can emitdifferent sounds based upon these various circumstances. A slow movementcan be interpreted as a prowler approaching the building, while a fastermovement, such as a movement of a person walking at 3.5 miles per hour,can be interpreted as a friendly visitor approaching the building 300.

The time of day can be any selected time of day and any number of timeranges can be used. For example, the security system 202 can emit awelcome message during sunrise to sunset and an alert or warning messageduring sunset to sunrise. Accordingly, because sunrise and sunset changeon a daily basis, the security system 202 can be communicatively coupledto an outside database(s) to allow the security system 202 to therebyautomatically respond to these ever-changing conditions.

The security system 202 (e.g. doorbell) can elect to emit a particularsound, such as a first sound or a second sound, based on a time at whichthe security system 202 detects an indication of a presence of avisitor. In some embodiments, the security system 202 is configured todetect an amount of light, which may indicate a time of day. In responseto detecting the amount of light, the security system 202 can elect toemit the first sound or the second sound based on the amount of light.

As well, the security system 202 can be configured to provide uniqueresponses during different time ranges on specific days. For example,the user may have a bowling league every third Monday of the month.Accordingly, during that time, (e.g. from 6 pm-8:30 pm) on the thirdMonday of the month, in response to detecting an indication of apresence of a friendly visitor, the speaker 488 of the security system202 can emit a friendly message telling the visitor that their presenceis appreciated but the visitor should come back another time. In anotherexample, the user may be on vacation from the 1^(st) to the 10^(th) andthe user may wish to emit more intimidating warnings to secure thebuilding 300. Generally speaking, the security system 202 can beconfigured to emit any type of sound in response to any time of dayand/or day.

The security system 202 can be configured to detect specific visitorsand emit certain sounds in response to detecting the specific visitors.For example, if the security system 202 detects a first visitor, such asa relative of the homeowner, the security system 202 can always emit afriendly sound, no matter how the first visitor approaches the home, orduring what time of day. As well, if the security system 202 detects asecond visitor, such as an unknown party (e.g. a solicitor), thesecurity system 202 can emit an unfriendly sound, no matter how thesecond visitor approaches the home, or during what time of day.

To determine the identity of a visitor, the security system 202 can useany type of identity recognition technology, such as facial recognition,to determine an indication of an identity of a visitor. Some of thesetypes of identity recognition technologies are disclosed in U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/612,376; filed Feb. 3,2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS. Theentire contents of patent application Ser. No. 14/612,376 areincorporated by reference herein.

The different types of sounds emitted by the speaker 488 can beconfigured to match the appropriate indication as detected by thesecurity system 202. For example, if the security system 202 detects anunfriendly visitor, the speaker 488 can emit a message spoken by a malevoice to thereby intimidate the unfriendly visitor. Contra, if thesecurity system 202 detects a friendly visitor, the speaker 488 can emita message spoken by a female voice to thereby welcome the visitor. Aswell, the security system 202 can be configured to emit any other typeof sound. For example, a welcome visitor can be greeted by a pleasantmelody or a ding-dong, while an unwelcome visitor can be greeted by analarm sound or a warning message.

As well, messages can be spoken in any language, volume, pitch, accent,and the like. Users may find that various combinations of vocalcharacteristics to be useful in different situations. For example, if auser is hosting a Mardi gras party, the user can configure the securitysystem 202 to emit a message spoken by a person with a southern accent.Generally, it should be appreciated that the speaker 488 of the securitysystem 202 can be configured to emit any type of sound for any type ofspecific situation.

Likewise, the security system 202 can be configured to play a specificmessage if the potential visitor is not included in a list. For example,where a potential visitor is not included in a list of the resident'scontacts, the security system 202 can be configured to indicate that theresident does not accept solicitors and/or request the visitor toprovide identifying information or describe the purpose of the visit.

In some embodiments, the security system 202 can be configured to play aspecific message if the potential visitor has a criminal background. Forexample, a user can configure the security system 202 to play a specificmessage where a potential visitor is a registered sex offender.

The sounds emitted by the security system 202 can be recorded by theuser him/herself. As well, the sounds can be downloaded from anothersource, such as a remote computer (e.g. a remote server), a remotecomputing device (e.g. a smart phone), a website, a database (e.g.iTunes®), and the like. Also, methods can include selecting the firstsound and the second sound with a remote computing device that isconfigured to receive alerts from the doorbell. The selected sounds canbe wirelessly transmitted to the doorbell.

As well, the sounds can be recorded with a remote computing device 204and the sounds can be set up for temporary use whereby the sounds canexpire upon a predetermined time. For example, a user can enter anexpiration date of the recorded sound with the remote computing device204. Furthermore, the user can wirelessly send the first sound and theexpiration date from the remote computing device to the doorbell. Oncethe expiration date passes, the security system 202 can then cease toemit the recorded sound from the security system 202.

As well, the security system 202 can be configured to receive soundemitting parameters from a remote computing device 204. The securitysystem 202 can emit a predetermined sound based upon the sound emittingparameter. In some embodiments, the sound emitting parameter includes atleast one of an identity of the first visitor, data associated with thefirst visitor, a time, a location of a user of the remote computingdevice. In some embodiments, the security system 202 can automaticallydownload a third sound based on the sound emitting parameters. Thesecurity system 202 can emit the third sound from the speaker accordingto rules associated with the third sound.

Alert Communication Embodiments

Embodiments of the security system 202 can be configured to alertindividuals located outside of a building (e.g. a home). For example,the security system 202 can be configured to flash a light, emit a sound(e.g. alternating high pitch and low pitch sounds), initiate acommunication session with a remote computing device 204, and the like.These various alerts can be useful to individuals, such as firstresponders, seeking to identify the location of an event, such as anemergency event(s) occurring within or outside the home. Home, as usedherein, may refer to a building whereby one or more occupants sleep inthe building on a permanent basis. Home may distinguishable from anoffice building by the lack of permanent occupants that sleep in theoffice building. Home may refer to an apartment building due to thepermanent nature of an occupant for the duration of a lease. Home may bedistinguishable from a hotel due to the lack of permanent occupants.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment in which a security system 202 iscommunicatively coupled to a communication device 416. The securitysystem 202 may be part of a communication system 400. The communicationsystem 400 can be similar to that of the communication system 200except, the communication system 400 may also be configured to allowcommunication between the security system 202 and the communicationdevice 416.

In various embodiments, the security system 202 can be communicativelycoupled, directly and/or via the cloud, to a communication device 416,such as a hub device, a communication system, and/or an event detectiondevice 418, such as a sensor, (e.g., a peripheral device, such as a NestProtect® (registered by Google Inc.), Nest Learning Thermostat®(registered by Google Inc.), DropCam® (registered by Google Inc.), andthe like. The communication device 416, event detection device 418and/or the security system 202 can be used to monitor various eventswithin the building 300 (e.g., home). Specifically, the communicationdevice 416 and/or event detection device 418 can detect emergency eventsand then notify the security system 202. In some embodiments, thecommunication device 416 is communicatively coupled to the eventdetection device 418 that detects the emergency event or adverse event(which is discussed further herein). In this manner, the security system202 may directly or indirectly receive a notification of the emergencyevent from the event detection device 418 and/or the communicationdevice 416.

The security system 202 can communicate with the communication device416 via a communication network 414. The communication network 414 canbe similar to the wireless communication 230, however, the communicationnetwork 414 can be wired or wireless. In embodiments, the communicationnetwork 414 can utilize the existing electrical wires in the doorbellwires to communicate with the security system 202 (e.g., powerlinenetworking). The communication network 414 can also utilize a wiredLocal Area Network. In embodiments, the communication network 414 caninclude a Wide Area Network (WAN) that connects the communication device416 to the security system 202 over the Internet.

In embodiments, the communication device 416 is a type of device that isconfigured to connect multiple devices and facilitate communicationbetween the multiple devices. The security system 202 may be a devicethat also is communicatively coupled to the communication device 416.The communication device 416 may receive a transmission from one device(i.e., an event detection device 418), make a determination on what typeof communication to perform (e.g., an alert), and transmit thecommunication to a second device (e.g., the security system 202) to takefurther action.

The security system 202 can be configured to communicate with remotecomputing devices (i.e., the computing device 204). The computing device204 may refer to a remote computing device in embodiments. The securitysystem 202 can initiate a communication session through thecommunication network 414 by sending a request to the computing device204 to establish a secure connection (e.g., a virtual private network)to enhance security. In embodiments, the communication session may alsoinclude an indication that an event (as discussed further herein) hasbeen initiated.

The security system 202 can have an outer housing 224. The outer housing224 may be configurable to attach to a building 300. The outer housing224 of the security system 202 can attach to the building 300 using avariety of permanent or temporary mounting mechanisms. In embodiments,the permanent mounting mechanism may prevent the removal of the securitysystem 202. The building 300 may include a variety of structures. Forexample, the building 300 includes a home, which is a type of building300. The home can include various types of structures in various squarefootages. For example, a home can be a wooden framed building with anexterior of stucco, brick, or siding. In embodiments, a home can bedistinguished from other types of buildings based on the livable area(e.g., 500 square feet to 5000 square feet). In embodiments, a home canalso be defined as being a freestanding structure without shared walls.A home may also be defined by zoning constraints. For example, the homemay be zoned residential instead of commercial or industrial.

The outer housing 224 can also include a visitor detection system 412coupled to the outer housing 224. The visitor detection system 412 canbe an assembly of components that are collectively configured to detectvisitors in the immediate vicinity (e.g., within 0.5 to 50 feet) of thesecurity system 202. The visitor detection system 412 can include thedoorbell button 212, the camera assembly 208, and an audio input device410. In addition, the visitor detection system 412 can also include themotion detector 218 and fingerprint sensor 210. The audio input device410 can be a device that captures audio (e.g., a microphone). The audioinput device 410 can have various sensitivity ranges depending on theapplication. In embodiments, the audio input device 410 can includemultiple microphones to extend the coverage area of audio capture. Forexample, the audio input device can have one microphone on board theouter housing 224 and receive input from another microphone locatedwithin the house (e.g., through the communication network 414).

The outer housing 224 may also include a deactivation unit 411. Thedeactivation unit 411 can be a component that is communicatively coupledto the security system 202. The deactivation unit 411 may be responsiblefor disabling the alert communication system 402. In embodiments, thedeactivation unit 411 is part of the alert communication system 402. Thealert communication system 402 may work passively or actively. In anactive configuration, the security system 202 can actively monitor for acommand to deactivate. For example, the security system 202 can send“activation status requested” signal to a deactivation unit 411 inregular intervals along with a unique randomized code and receive an“activation=True” signal from the deactivation unit 411 along with theunique randomized code. When communication is interrupted, then anon-response of the activation status may indicate “activation=True”.When deactivated, the deactivation unit 411 transmits an“activation=False” signal along with the unique randomized code. Theactively monitoring for the command can be advantageous wherecommunication is lost with the deactivation unit 411 (i.e., thecommunication is modified or the deactivation is spoofed by anintruder).

The deactivation unit 411 may also passively monitor for the command.For example, an occupant may input a command through the deactivationunit 411 that is transmitted to the security system 202. The securitysystem 202 can receive the command passively. In embodiments, thedeactivation unit 411 may also be communicatively coupled with a remotecomputing device 204. The deactivation command may originate from theremote computing device 204 to deactivate the alert communication system402 in either actively or passively.

The outer housing 224 can also include an alert communication system 402coupled to the outer housing 224. The alert communication system 402 canbe configurable to activate in response to an initiation of an event.For example, an alert from the communication device 416 that istransmitted to the security system 202 can activate various componentson the security system 202 through the alert communication system 402.The alert communication system 402 can include components to communicatealerts to a user (e.g., an occupant of the home). In embodiments, thealert communication system 402 is the security system 202 or part of thesecurity system 202. In embodiments, the alert communication system 402includes a light 406 and a speaker 404. The light 406 can comprise thediagnostic light 216 and/or the power indicator light 220, as shown inFIG. 1 , and/or any other light coupled to the security system 202. Aswell, the speaker 404 may comprise the speaker 488, as illustrated inFIG. 1 , and/or any other speaker coupled to the security system 202.

In embodiments, the alert communication system 402 refers to acollection of components for the purpose of alerting an occupant of thebuilding 300. The alert communication system 402 can also refer to acontrol unit for the components that alert an occupant of the building300. The control of the alert communication system 402 can be separatefrom the control for the security system 202. In embodiments, the alertcommunication system 402 is attached to an exterior surface of the home(i.e., a building 300). The outer housing 224 may be attached to aninterior surface of the home (i.e., a building 300). The remotecomputing device 204 can be operated by the homeowner (i.e., a type ofoccupant).

The speaker 404 of the alert communication system 404 can be configuredto emit a sound in response to the initiation of the event. For example,if the communication device 416 transmits an alert that indicates anemergency, then the security device 202 can emit a sound in the speaker404 that indicates danger. The speaker 404 can be configured to emit awide-range of sounds and various decibel levels depending on theapplication. For example, a more severe alert can be louder than a lesssevere alert. The security system 202 can alert an occupant ofsuspicious smoke by saying the location of the smoke and the time thesmoke was detected.

The speaker 404 can simply emit a voice that says “Danger, Danger,Danger” to alert an occupant of the building 300. The sound emitted bythe security device 202 can be unique to the type of alert. For example,if a fire alert is transmitted by the communication device 416, then thesecurity device 202 can emit a voice that says “Fire, Fire, Fire” andrepeats at a set interval. Various sounds can also be used toselectively alert other occupants. For example, a high frequency soundof 24 kHz to 45 kHz can selectively alert canine occupants of thebuilding 300 without alerting a human. In another example, a sound from17 kHz to 23 kHz may selectively alert children but not adults. Variouspatterns of sounds can also be produced. For example, the “SOS” Morsecode pattern may be used to indicate distress.

The light 406 of the security system 202 may be configurable toilluminate in response to the initiation of the event. The light 406 canemit a variety of colors in a variety of patterns. For example, thelight 406 can emit a green light, a white light, and a red light. Agreen light can be lit during normal operation. A white light color canbe used for ordinary alerts, such as a power outage. A red light colorcan be used to indicate an imminent emergency that alerts the occupantto leave the building 300 immediately. For example, the red light colorcan be used to alert the occupant of a gas leakage or a fire or armedintruders.

In embodiments, the light 406 can flash at various frequencies toindicate a pattern. For example, three short flashes, followed by threelong flashes, followed by three short flashes, can indicate distress.While rapid flashes can indicate a higher priority than slower flashesof light. The light 406 can be coordinated with the speaker 404. Forexample, the light 406 can flash at the same time that the speaker 404makes a sound. The light 406 can also flash before or after the emissionof sound from the speaker 404.

The alert communication system 402 can also include emission of an odor.The odor can be discernable by an occupant to know that something iswrong or can ward away an intruder. For example, if the communicationdevice 416 alerts the security system 202 of an intruder, then a strongsmell (such as that of a skunk) can trigger a silent alarm. Varioussmells can be used. For example, flowery odors can be used fornon-urgent alerts (such as a water leak) while mercaptan-based odors canbe used for urgent alerts.

The alert communication system 402 can include remote communication 407.The remote communication 407 can be responsible for communicating with aremote computing device 204 the status of the alarm. In embodiments, theremote communication 407 can be a module that communicates with asecurity monitoring service, which can also have a dedicatedcommunication channel that is different than the communication network414 in order to alert authorities in the event of a power outage.

In embodiments, the security system 202 is powered by an electricalpower input 408. The electrical power input 408 can be a battery. Theelectrical power input 408 can also be from an electrical source such asfrom a household Alternating Current. The electrical power input 408 canalso be configured to receive a step-down voltage (e.g., around 8V to24V) from doorbell wires 304. The alert communication system 402 may beelectrically coupled to electrical wires 409 (through the electricalpower input 408). The electrical wires 409 can be configurable to becoupled to the doorbell wires 304 of a home (e.g., the building 300).The alert communication system 402 can be configurable to activate inresponse to a determination that an event has been initiated through theelectrical wires 409. In embodiments, the communication can happen overpowerline networking. Various spikes in electrical signals from theelectrical wires 409 can also signal the alert communication system 402.In embodiments, a lack of electrical signal from the electrical wires409 can also activate the alert communication system 402. For example,the lack of electrical power input 408 from the electrical wires 409 canactivate the alert communication system 402. The alert communicationsystem 402 can further utilize a backup battery system through theelectrical power input 408 and cause the light 406 to emit white coloredlight so that an occupant can see.

The security system 202 may be configured as a passive or active device.As a passive device, the security system 202 may receive notificationsof emergency events from the communication device and/or the eventdetection device 418. For example, a smoke detector event detectiondevice 418 can transmit a smoke event to the communication device, whichmay communicate to the security system 202 an indication that the smokeevent is occurring. The security system 202 can be monitoring fornotifications from the communication device whenever a communicationchannel is established.

As an active device, the security system 202 may be configured toactively monitor whether the communication device and/or event detectiondevice 418 has detected the occurrence or initiation of an emergencyevent (or adverse event). For example, the security system 202 canperiodically request from the communication device a status of events.If there is no status, then the security system 202 can wait untilanother request is filled.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an enhanced view of various eventdetection devices 418, according to some embodiments. The eventdetection devices 418 can be communicatively coupled to thecommunication device. Types of event detection device 418 can include asmoke alarm 420 or a burglar alarm 422. The event detection device 418can be configured to communicate with a communication device or to theremote device 204 through the communication network 414. In embodiments,the event detection device 418 can be “smart” and communicate with avariety of devices. The event detection device 418 can connect via theInternet of Things (IoT) and may each have a unique network identifier.The IoT may encompass various standards. For example, standards mayinclude ALLJOYN® (Registered by Qualcomm Innovation Center Inc.), ThreadGroup, IEEE® (Registered by the Institute of Electronic and ElectricalEngineers, Inc.) P2413 working group, IoTivity® (Registered by SamsungElectronics Co., Ltd.), or Representational State Transfer.

The security system 202 may comprise an alert communication system 402that may include a light 406, a speaker 404, and a wirelesscommunication system 230 that may be configured to initiate atransmission with a remote computing device 204. For example, thecommunication device may comprise a smart smoke detector 420 (e.g. NestProtect®, registered by Google Inc.), and in response to the smart smokedetector detecting elevated levels of smoke 434, or elevated levels ofother toxic gases, the security system 202 may activate its alertcommunication system 402 (e.g. flashing a light and/or emit a sound).This may thereby alert individuals outside the home as to the locationof the home where the emergency event is occurring.

As well, it should be appreciated that the emergency event can compriseany type of event 424 that may require the attention of another party.As used, event can refer to an emergency event or an adverse event,which indicates harm to an occupant or requires the attention of a partyother than the occupant. For example, the emergency event may compriseat least one of a fire 426, a gas leak 428, a break-in 436, elevatedlevels of smoke 434, elevated levels of radon 432, elevated levels ofcarbon monoxide 430, and the like.

The alert communication system 402 can be configured to alertindividuals located outside the home in any variety of ways. Forexample, the alert communication system 402 can flash a bright lightemitting diode and/or a light located behind the doorbell button 212,such as the diagnostic light 216, on the security system 202. In someexamples, the alert communication system 402 can emit a loud sound fromthe speaker 404. For example, the loud sound can be alternating high andlow pitch sounds that may be heard by individuals located within 300feet of the home. The high and low pitch sounds can be of high and lowfrequencies that may be heard by individuals located within aneighboring home and/or a vehicle passing by. The loud sound can be aunique sound easily detectable by individuals. As well, the sound cancomprise a noise that indicates danger or help is required.

Furthermore, the alert communication system 402 can be configured toinitiate a transmission to a remote computing device 204. For example,if the security system 202 determines that a break-in has occurred, thesecurity system 202 may initiate a computing session and/or anotification with the remote computing device 204 to alert an individualthat is operating the remote computing device 204 of the break-in 436 atthe home. As well, it should be appreciated that the security system 202can initiate a transmission to any other party, such as an emergencydispatcher (e.g. 911).

The security system 202 may be configured to activate its alertcommunication system 402 after a predetermined amount of time. Thepredetermined amount of time may be 0 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 1minute, and the like. Generally, it should be appreciated that the alertcommunication system 402 may activate nearly at the same time as thecommunication device 416 detecting the emergency event 424 or any timethereafter.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 of monitoring for anevent through a communication device 416, according to some embodiments.The method 500 can generally involve connecting to a communicationdevice 416 and receiving a notification of an event from thecommunication device 416. The security system 202 can react based on theevent from the communication system. The method 500 begins at block 510.

In block 510, the security system 202 can establish a connection withthe communication system. As mentioned herein, the communication device416 may utilize either a wired or wireless connection 230 to communicatewith the security system 202. For example, a wireless home network thatutilizes Wi-Fi may be used or local Bluetooth™ pairing may be used. Onceconnection is established, then the communication device 416 may beconfigured to only communicate with security system 202 at the IDprovided by the security system 202. For example, the security system202 may have a unique IPv6 address that the communication device 416transmits to. The communication device 416 may also have a unique IPv6address that the security system 202 transmits to. The security system202 may also be configured to receive alerts from only the IPv6 addressthat belongs to the communication device 416, thus preventing spoofingtype alarms. Various permissions may be set up using an ApplicationProgramming Interface (API) of the communication device 416. Forexample, the security system 202 can be set up as a client withread/write permissions which identifies the security system 202 that haspermission to share data with the communication device 416.

In block 512, the security system 202 may monitor for an event. Inembodiments, the security system 202 monitors for an event from thecommunication device 416. For example, the communication device 416 mayreceive a notification of an event from an event detection device 418.In embodiments, the security system 202 can monitor for an event usinglocalized components. For example, the security system 202 may have acamera that is used to monitor for suspicious activity. The event may becommunicated with the communication device 416 and the communicationdevice 416 may take appropriate action (e.g., notify emergencyservices). As mentioned herein, the types of events may be selected fromat least one of a fire, a gas leak, a break-in, elevated levels ofsmoke, elevated levels of radon, elevated levels of carbon monoxide, andthe like.

The event detection device 418 may detect an event using a variety ofmethods. For example, various thresholds may be employed to detect anevent 424. For example, the elevated levels of smoke event 434 can bebased off of optical obscuration or electrostatic precipitation. Thesmoke can be based off of a threshold of parts per million or percentageof optical transmittance. The radon event 432 can be based off ofPicoCuries per Liter reading from a radon detection unit. The gas leakevent 428 can be based off of an 80% Lower Explosive Limit. Various gasdetectors can be used (e.g., electrochemical, infrared point, infraredimaging, semiconductor, ultrasonic, holographic, etc.). A fire event 426may be detected using temperature or a combination of readings from asmoke event 434 and a carbon monoxide event 430. The break-in event 436may utilize various sensors present in the security system 202 orexternal sensors to the security system 202 (e.g., motion sensors). Theevent 424 is associated with a home (i.e., building 300), and thedoorbell (i.e., security system 202) is attached to the home of ahomeowner.

In block 514, the security system 202 can determine whether an event hasbeen initiated. The event may be initiated whenever the security system202 receives a transmission from a communication device 416communicatively coupled to the security system. The transmission may beover various forms of communication and provide an indication that theevent has been initiated. The security system 202 may monitor thecommunication system to detect whether the event has been initiated. Inembodiments, the security system 202 (e.g., the doorbell) can interfacewith a remote computing device 204 to further communicate to an occupantthat there is an alert at the home. Communicating via the remotecomputing device 204 may have the benefit of keeping occupants informedwhile away from the home. The security device 202 can establish acommunication session with a remote computing device 204 in a similarmanner as to the communication device 416. The communication session mayinclude an indication that the event that has been initiated. Forexample, an occupant can receive a communication of a fire alert on alocal application on their remote computing device 204 from the securitysystem 202.

In block 516, the security system 202 can determine the alarm type. Inembodiments, block 516 may be optional. Despite a variety of devicesavailable to the security system 202, not all devices or tools may beappropriate in certain settings. For example, a non-urgent alert (suchas elevated radon levels) may not warrant a high-pitched, high-volumenoise in the middle of the night. The security system 202 can balancethe severity of the alert with the certainty for the alert. For example,significant amounts of dust can trigger a smoke detector but thecertainty of a fire can be determined using a carbon monoxide detectorin conjunction with the smoke detector. The severity of a fire may behigh but if the certainty that a fire is occurring is low, then thesecurity system 202 can determine that another alarm type is moreappropriate. Examples of determining an alarm type are described furtherherein.

In block 518, the security system 202 can activate the alertcommunication system 402 in response to determining that the event hasbeen initiated in block 514. In embodiments, activating the alertcommunication system 402 can include activating selected components ofthe alert communication system 402 (e.g., the speaker 404 or the light406). As mentioned herein, the alert communication system 402 caninclude a light 406 which, when the alert communication system 402 isactivated, can cause the light 406 to illuminate in a variety ofpatterns and colors. The alert communication system 402 can also includea speaker 404 that emits a sound in a variety of intensities,frequencies, and patterns. The activating can also include activating acontrol element for the alert communication system 402. The controlelement for the alert communication system 402 can instigate a varietyof patterns and alerts for multiple components (e.g., a flashing lightfollowed by emission of selected sound frequencies).

In block 520, once the alert communication system 402 is activated, thesecurity system 202 can monitor for a command to deactivate the alertcommunication system 402. In embodiments, block 520 may be optional. Forexample, a user of the security system 202 may not desire the securitysystem 202 to alert occupants (e.g., a false positive). The command canbe a sequence of instructions that is understood by the security system202 to deactivate the alert communication system 402. In embodiments,the command can be a button press and an audible predetermined message.For example, an occupant can push a button (e.g., the door bell button220) and speak an audible predetermined message such as “AlarmDeactivate” to deactivate the alert communication system 402. In variousembodiments, the deactivation unit 411 can be configured to performvocal recognition in order to distinguish between the voice of theoccupant with the voice of a non-occupant, such as a prowler. Once thecommand is received, then the method 500 can continue to operation 522.

In block 522, the security system 202 can deactivate the alertcommunication system 402 in response to receiving the command todeactivate the alert communication system. The alert communicationsystem 402 may be deactivated in a variety of ways. For example, thealert communication system 402 may deactivate (e.g. turn off the currentalert) in response to the security system 202 receiving an indicationthat the doorbell button 212 has been pressed. In some embodiments, thesecurity system 202 may be configured to turn off the alertcommunication system 402 in response to receiving an audiblepredetermined message, such as a spoken safety message or a spokenpassword that indicates that the event is being attended to or hasended. In some embodiments, the security system 202 can receive adeactivation command from the remote computing device 204. In thismanner, the individual operating the remote computing device 204 maysend a command through the remote computing device 204 to terminate theongoing alert. The deactivation of the alert communication system 402can include selectively deactivating less than all of the components ofthe alert communication system 402. For example, the deactivating of thealert communication system 402 can include deactivating only thelocalized communication (i.e., the speaker 404 and the light 406) butnot the remote communication 407 with law enforcement (e.g., a silentalarm).

FIG. 14 illustrates an example table 600 of various alarm types that areused based on the certainty and severity of the event, according to someembodiments. The table 600 can correspond to block 516 in FIG. 13 wherea security system 202 can determine the alarm type. In embodiments, thealarm type may be pre-assigned depending on the certainty and theseverity of the event. For example, an occupant may desire that a gasleak is always associated with an audible alarm and a red light, despitea low certainty.

The alarm type can also be based on threshold values. For example, ifthe certainty of a fire is 20% but the severity is high, the securitysystem 202 can create a score that is based on the severity and thecertainty. The security system 202, based on the score, can determinethe type of alarm. For example, a high severity event with a lowcertainty may (such as the fire) may be associated with a sound toinvite an occupant to investigate further. A high severity event such asa gas leak but with a higher certainty may trigger a red flash alongwith the sound. A low severity event such as a baby crying can trigger adifferent set of alarm types such as playing comforting music.

Customized Sound Embodiments

The security system 202, or doorbell 202, may be configured to receive acustom sound(s) from a user and thereby emit the custom sound inresponse to a particular situation(s). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 15 , a doorbell system 200 may receive a custom message (at step1500). A user of the system may then optionally assign the custommessage to a select visitor (at step 1502). Thereby when an indicationof a presence of the select visitor is detected by the doorbell 202 (atstep 1504), the doorbell 202 may then respond by emitting the custommessage with a speaker 404, 488 of the doorbell 202 (at step 1506). Itshould be appreciated that the term “detecting” may be defined asdiscovering or identifying the presence or existence of a visitor. Assuch, the term “detecting” may be used interchangeably with the term“determining.”

The custom sound, or custom message, may be received by the doorbellsystem 200 in a variety of ways. As shown in FIG. 16 , the doorbellsystem 200 may download the custom message from a remote computer, suchas a remote computing device (e.g. a smart phone) (at step 1600). Aswell, the doorbell system 200 may record the custom message (at step1602). For example, a user of the doorbell system 200 may record thecustom message on his or her remote computing device, such as a smartphone, (at step 1602) and then download the custom message from thesmart phone onto the doorbell system 200. In some embodiments, thecustom message may be directly recorded by the doorbell 202 (at step1602), such as recorded by a microphone of the doorbell 202. Generally,it should be appreciated that the custom message may be recorded by anytype of recording device that is communicatively coupled to the doorbellsystem 200 (at step 1602). In this manner, the doorbell system 200 maydownload the custom message from the recording device.

As further illustrated in FIG. 16 , any number of custom messages may berecorded and/or downloaded by the doorbell system 200. For example, thedoorbell system may record and/or download a second custom message (atstep 1604), a third custom message, a fourth custom message, and anynumber of additional custom messages.

The doorbell system 200 may also be configured to interact with avisitor whereby the doorbell system 200 gives and receives audibleinformation. In this manner, the doorbell system 200 may interpretinformation from the visitor. With reference to FIG. 17 , the doorbellsystem 200 (e.g. a speaker 404, 488 of the the doorbell 202) may beconfigured to emit an audible question(s) (at step 1700). The doorbellsystem 200 (e.g. via a microphone of the doorbell 202) may then receivean audible response from the visitor (at step 1702). The doorbell system200 may thereby determine the meaning of the audible response given bythe visitor. For example, the doorbell system 200 may determine whetherthe audible response comprises a first meaning or a second meaning (atstep 1704). For example, if the doorbell system 200 determines that theaudible response comprises the first meaning, the doorbell 202 may thenemit a first audible response, via the speaker 404, 488, (at step 1706).As well, if the doorbell system 200 determines that the audible responsecomprises the second meaning, the doorbell 202 may then emit a secondaudible response, via the speaker 404, 488, (at step 1708). In thismanner, the doorbell system 200 may be a smart system that is able tointerpret and respond to different responses given by the visitor.

The doorbell system 200 may also be configured to initiate acommunication session with a remote computing device 204, such as aremote computing device 204 associated with the visitor and/or a user ofthe doorbell system 200 (e.g. a resident of the building 300). Forexample, the doorbell system 200 may detect an indication of a presenceof a visitor (at step 1800). The doorbell system 200 may then initiate acommunication session with the remote computing device of the visitorand/or the resident (at step 1802). The communication session maycomprise any type of communication and/or transmission to the remotecomputing device, such as a text message, phone call, voicemail, email,and the like. For example, the communication session may comprise awritten message that substantially matches a content of the custommessage as emitted by the speaker 404, 488. In this manner, hearingimpaired visitors may be able to receive the message.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the doorbell system 200 may beconfigured to determine an identity of a first visitor and/or a secondvisitor. Accordingly, the doorbell system 200 may intiate acommunication session, such as transmit a text message, to a remotecomputing device 204 that includes at least one of the identity of thefirst visitor and/or the identity of the second visitor. Generally, itshould be appreciated that the communication session may include anytype of information relating to the visitor and/or the visitor'spresence at the doorbell 200.

The doorbell system 200 may also be configured to detect various typesof visitors. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 19 , thedoorbell system 200 may be referred to as a first doorbell system 200 a,which may be configured to detect an indication of a presence of acriminal (at step 1900). The first doorbell system 200 a may detect theindication of the presence of a visitor, such as a criminal, byreceiving a notification from a second doorbell system 200 b that iscommunicatively coupled to the first doorbell system 200 a and remotelylocated with respect to the first doorbell system 200 a. For example,the second doorbell system 200 b may determine that a criminal is in thearea and then alert all other doorbell systems 200 located within thevicinity, including the first doorbell system 200 a.

With reference to FIG. 19 , in response to the doorbell 202 and/ordoorbell system 200 detecting the indication of the presence of thecriminal, the doorbell 202 may emit a warning message with a speaker404, 488 of the doorbell 202 (at step 1902). The doorbell system 200 maythen initiate a communication session with a law enforcement agency tonotify the agency of the presence of the criminal (at step 1904). Itshould be appreciated that the warning message may include a message toscare away the criminal and/or inform the criminal that the lawenforcement agency has been contacted.

As shown in FIG. 20 , the doorbell system 200 may also be configured toidentify a visitor, such as a criminal or suspicious person, by taking apicture of the visitor (at step 2000). The doorbell system 200 may thendetermine, based on the picture, that the visitor is included in adatabase of suspicious visitors, such as a database of criminals, thatpreviously visited other doorbells 202 (at step 2002). The doorbellsystem 200, and/or a remote computer, may use facial recognitionsoftware to match the facial data of the criminal with facial data froma law enforcement database. As well, the doorbell system 200 may detectthe indication of the presence of the criminal by detecting bodylanguage of the criminal, such as detecting evasive or suspicious moves,detecting a fingerprint of the criminal, detecting a retina of thecriminal, and the like.

As well, the doorbell system 200 may be configured to determine varioustypes of visitors. As shown in FIG. 21 , for example, the doorbellsystem 200 may determine that a visitor is a predetermined visitor type(at step 2100). The predetermined visitor type may comprise any type ofvisitor, such as a known visitor (e.g. a friend, a family member, and/oranyone included on a smart phone contact list of a user), a knownvisitor, a suspicious visitor, a criminal, and the like. In response todetermining that the visitor is the predetermined visitor type, thedoorbell system 200, via the doorbell 202, can select a custom messagefrom a first message and a second message (at step 2102). In response todetermining that the visitor is a known person, the doorbell system 200may emit the first message (at step 2104). In some embodiments, thefirst message optionally includes a name of the known person. Forexample, the doorbell system 200 may determine that a known person namedTim, who is a friend of the resident, is present. Accordingly, thedoorbell 202 may audibly announce, “Welcome, Tim.”

Likewise, in response to determining that the visitor is a stranger, thedoorbell 202 may emit the second message (at step 2106). For example, ifthe doorbell system 200 determines that the stranger is a solicitor, thedoorbell 202 may emit an audible message informing the solicitor thatthe resident does not purchase items from solicitors, an apology, and aninvitation to exit the premise. Generally, it should be appreciated thatthe doorbell system 200 may be configured to determine any type ofvisitor and emit any type of custom message in response to the type ofvisitor.

The doorbell system 200 may also be configured to emit custom messagesin response to the occurrence of predetermined conditions. Asillustrated in FIG. 22 , the doorbell system 200 may detect anindication of a presence of a visitor (at step 2200). The doorbellsystem 200 may thereby determine that a predetermined condition hasoccurred (at step 2202). For example, the predetermined condition may bea time of day, a period of days, such as a time when the resident(s) ison vacation, an event (e.g. a birthday party, during a football game,etc.), and the like. Accordingly, in response to the indication of thepresence of the visitor and the occurrence of the predeterminedcondition, the doorbell 202 may thereby emit a custom message (at step2204). It should be appreciated that the custom message may correspondwith the occurrence of the predetermined condition. For example, if thepredetermined condition is the occurrence of a game in which theresident's favorite football team is competing, then the custom messagemay be the fight song for the football team.

The predetermined condition may also be an occurrence when theresident(s) is away from the building 300 or when the resident(s) islocated within the building 300. With specific reference to FIG. 23 ,the doorbell system 200 may be configured to record and/or download morethan one custom message, such as a first custom message and/or a secondcustom message, and then emit the respective custom message inparticular situations (at step 2300). Accordingly, the method maythereby include determining whether a resident is located within thebuilding 300 or whether the resident is not located within the building300 (at step 2302). In response to determining that the resident ispresent within the building 300, the doorbell 202 may thereby emit thefirst custom message (at step 2304). For example, the first custommessage may be a message informing the visitor that the resident will beright there, such as, “Please wait a moment. Mr. Banks will be rightthere” (whereby Mr. Banks is the resident). In response to determiningthat the resident is not present within the building, the doorbell 202may thereby emit the second custom message (at step 2306). The secondcustom message may include a message informing the visitor that theresident is busy (if the visitor is a suspicious person—to avoid arobbery) or away from the building 300 (if the visitor is a knownperson). For example, the second custom message may state, “I'm sorry.Mr. Banks is currently occupied. Please come back another time.”

The doorbell system 200, via the doorbell 202, may be configured toreceive the custom message in response to a variety of inputs asreceived by the doorbell system 200. For example, as shown by FIG. 24 ,the doorbell 202 may receive an indication of a first button press froma button 212 of the doorbell 202 (at step 2400). In response toreceiving the first button press, the doorbell 202 may thereby recordthe custom message and store the custom message within a memory of thedoorbell system 200 (at step 2402). As well, the doorbell system 200 maybe configured to receive an input, such as receive an indication of asecond button press from the doorbell 202 (at step 2404). In response toreceiving the second button press, the doorbell system 200 can therebyerase the custom message from the memory of the doorbell system 200 (atstep 2406).

It should be appreciated that any reference to first button press,second button press, and the like, can refer to any number of buttonpresses or duration of respective button presses. For example, the firstbutton press can comprise two button presses and the second button presscan comprise one button press. As well, the first button press cancomprise one button press and the second button press can comprise twobutton presses. In some embodiments, the first button press can comprisethe button 212 being pressed for a first duration and the second buttonpress can comprise the button 212 being pressed for a second duration.It should be appreciated that the first duration can be greater than,equal to, or less than the second duration.

However, it should be appreciated that the inputs may be any type ofinputs into the doorbell system 200. For example, in conjunction orinstead of a first and second button press, the doorbell system 200 maybe configured to receive various motions from the user. In someembodiments, the camera 208 of the doorbell 202 may detect a firstmotion from the user, such as the user waving a hand once. In responseto detecting the first motion, the doorbell 202 may thereby record thecustom message and store the custom message within a memory of thedoorbell system 200. As well, the camera 208 may detect a second motionfrom the user, such as the user waving a hand twice. In response todetecting the second motion, the doorbell 202 may thereby erase thecustom message from the memory of the doorbell system 200. Generally, itshould be appreciated that any type of input, such as a bodily motion,may be received by the doorbell system 200.

The doorbell system 200 may also be configured to provide security andanonymity to a user of the doorbell system 200. For example, as shown inFIG. 25 , the doorbell system 200 may record and/or download a firstcustom message (at step 2500). The first custom message may be spoken bya first voice. The doorbell system 200 may be configured to effectivelyconvert the first message into a second message, whereby the secondmessage is spoken by a second voice that is different from the firstvoice. The content of the first custom message can substantially matchthe content of the second custom message. As such, the doorbell system200 may emit the second custom message (at step 2502) that is spoken bythe second voice. In this manner, the doorbell system 200 mayeffectively protect the identity of the user (e.g. resident) of thedoorbell system 200.

With respect to the various predetermined conditions, as shown in FIG.26 , the doorbell system 200 may create a schedule of a first timeframeto emit a first sound, a second timeframe to emit a second sound, and athird timeframe to emit a third sound (at step 2600). The doorbellsystem 200 may thereby determine that a visitation time of the visitoris within the first timeframe (at step 2602), and in response todetermining that the visitation time of the visitor is within the firsttimeframe, the doorbell 202 may emit the first sound (at step 2604).Accordingly, if the doorbell system 200 determines that the visitationtime of the visitor is within the second timeframe, the doorbell 202 mayemit the second sound. Likewise, if the doorbell system 200 determinesthat the visitation time of the visitor is within the third timeframe,the doorbell 202 may emit the third sound. For example, the firsttimeframe might include overnight and morning hours when the resident iseither sleeping or getting ready for work. The first sound may therebyinform a visitor that the resident is busy and that the visitor shouldcome back another time. As well, the second timeframe might includedaytime hours, when the resident is away at work. The second sound mightinclude a message that the resident is not available and that thevisitor can reach the resident at work or on the resident's smart phone,if the visitor is a known or trusted visitor. Finally, the thirdtimeframe might include a time during evening hours when the resident ishome from work. The third sound may thereby inform the visitor that theresident will answer the door shortly. Generally, it should beappreciated that the doorbell system 200 may be configured toaccommodate any timeframe or number of timeframes. As well, the doorbellsystem 200 may be configured to receive and thereby emit any sound inresponse to any of the respective timeframes.

With reference to FIG. 27 , the doorbell system 200 may be configured toreceive any number of custom messages and then emit respective messagesin response to the doorbell system 200 (e.g. the doorbell 202) detectingan indication of a presence of any number of respective visitors. Thedoorbell 202 may emit a first custom audible message with a speaker 404,488 in response to the doorbell system 200 detecting an indication of apresence of a first visitor (at step 2700). As well, the doorbell 202may emit a second custom audible message with the speaker 404, 488 inresponse to the doorbell system 200 detecting an indication of apresence of a second visitor (at step 2702). Likewise, the doorbell 202may emit a third custom audible message with the speaker 404, 488 inresponse to the doorbell system 200 detecting an indication of apresence of a third visitor (at step 2704).

The first, second and third custom audible messages can be assigned tospecific visitors or groups of visitors. For example, the first customaudible message may be assigned to a specific first visitor. As well,the first custom audible message may be assigned to a specific group ortype of visitor, such as any known visitor.

As shown in FIG. 28 , the doorbell system 200 may be referred to as afirst doorbell system 200 a that is attached to a first building 300 a.The first doorbell system 200 a may be communicatively coupled to asecond doorbell system 200 b that is attached to an exterior of a secondbuilding 300 b that is remotely located with respect to the firstbuilding 300 a. Accordingly, the first doorbell 202 a may also becommunicatively coupled to the second doorbell 202 b. Thereby, the firstdoorbell system 202 a may detect an indication of a presence of a firstvisitor by receiving a first notification from the second doorbellsystem 202 b (at step 2800). As well, the first doorbell system 202 amay detect an indication of a presence of a second visitor by receivinga second notification from the second doorbell system 202 b (at step2802). In this manner, the first doorbell system 202 a and the seconddoorbell system 202 b may be networked. This may allow doorbell systems200 that are located within a specific area, such as a neighborhood, tocommunicate and transmit data to each other. The network of doorbellsystems may exchange information and/or data to thereby monitor theentire neighborhood.

Chime Embodiments

Chimes 302 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 31-37 ) can include all of thefeatures, assemblies, parts, systems, and components of any doorbell 202described herein or incorporated by reference. Chimes 302 can includeall the items shown in FIG. 12 . Referring now to FIGS. 31-37 , a usercan use the remote computing device 204 to select a sound emitted by thechime 302 located inside the building or silence the chime 302 locatedinside the building. Several embodiments include many different soundsthat the chime 302 can emit when someone “rings” the doorbell 202 or isdetected by the doorbell 202.

As illustrated in FIG. 31 , the chime 302 may receive backup or primarypower from a power source of a building 300 and/or a battery 462 blocated within the chime. As well, the chime 302 may include variouscomponents to detect different events within the vicinity of the chime302. For example, embodiments may include a motion detector 218configurable to detect motion along an inside portion of the building300. The chime 302 may also include a camera assembly 208 b configurableto capture an image along the inside portion of the building 300. Aswell, the chime 302 may include a speaker 488 b configurable to emitsounds and a microphone 484 b configurable to receive an audible messagespoken by a user.

Even still, in embodiments, the chime 302 may include additionalcomponents including, but not limited to, a thermometer 512 bconfigurable to determine temperature along the inside portion of thebuilding 300 and a humidity sensor 305 configurable to determinehumidity along the inside portion of the building 300. The chime 302 mayinclude a detection system 528 b that may include miscellaneousdetection components to monitor and detect various other events. Aswell, the chime 302 may include a communication system 504 bconfigurable to communicatively couple the chime to the doorbell 202,the remote computing device 204, and/or any other communication device.The communication system 504 b may communicate via WiFi, Bluetooth,Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, ZigBee, and the like. It should beappreciated that the chime 302 may utilize none, some, or all the samecomponents as utilized by the doorbell 202.

A user can select a sound to be emitted by the chime 302 on her remotecomputing device 204 by using a control application 600. The remotecomputing device 204 can then send the sound to the chime 302 via thedoorbell 202 (and/or via a server 206 and a wireless network 308). Thesound can be a song, a greeting recorded by the user, or any other typeof sound. Some embodiments include using a remote computing device 204to download a sound from the Internet, sending the sound (or dataassociated with the sound) to the doorbell 202 (e.g., in response tousing the remote computing device 204 to select the sound), sending thesound (or data associated with the sound) from the doorbell 202 to thechime 302, and/or emitting the sound from the chime 302.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 , the chime 302 can include an electricalplug 307. The plug 307 can be mechanically and electrically coupled to apower outlet 309 (as shown in FIG. 33 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 34 , the doorbell 202 can serve as acommunication bridge between the remote computing device 204 and thechime 302. The doorbell 202 can be used to enable the remote computingdevice 204 to control the chime 302. A user can select an option (e.g.,a song or a chime setting) on the remote computing device 204, then thesystem can send information regarding the option to and/or from thecomputing device 204. Then, the system can send information regardingthe option from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 in response to theuser selecting the option via the remote computing device 204. Thecommunication 230 between the computing device 204 and the doorbell 202can be wireless. The communication 230 between the doorbell 202 and thechime 302 can be wireless.

As illustrated in FIG. 36 , the chime 302 can serve as a communicationbridge between the remote computing device 204 and the doorbell 202.This can be especially helpful when the doorbell 202 cannot access thewireless network 308 of the building 300 to which the doorbell ismechanically and/or electrically coupled. The chime 302 can be locatedinside the building 300, and thus, is more likely to access the wirelessnetwork 308 of the building 300 (due to a superior signal strength ofthe wireless network 308 at the chime 302 compared to the signalstrength at the doorbell 202, which can be located much farther from arouter of the wireless network 308). Some embodiments includeconfiguring the chime 302 to serve as a communication bridge between theremote computing device 204 and the doorbell 202 in response to a firstwireless signal strength of the wireless network 308 at a first locationof the chime 302 being greater than a second wireless signal strength ofthe wireless network 308 at a second location of the doorbell 202.

As well, FIG. 32 illustrates embodiments of the chime 302 that includeat least one plug 307 that may be electrically and/or communicativelycoupled to a power outlet 309. The one plug 307 can thereby electricallyand/or communicatively couple the doorbell 202 to the wires of the poweroutlet 309.

The system 200 can be configured to communicate in various manners. Insome embodiments, the remote computing device 204 communicates directlywith the doorbell 202, while the doorbell 202 communicates directly withthe chime 302. In some embodiments, the remote computing device 204communicates directly with the chime 302, while the doorbell 202communicates directly with the chime. Generally, it should be understoodthat the system 200 can be configured in any manner by the user.

Methods of Using a Chime

According to various embodiments, the doorbell system 200 can emitsounds from a chime 302. As illustrated in FIG. 38 , the method caninclude selecting the sound by a remote computing device 204 (at step1300). For example, the remote computing device 204 can allow a user toselect the sound by toggling a radio button (not shown) as displayed ona screen of the remote computing device 204. In some examples, the usercan select the sound by selecting a song or any type of audio file froma database, such as a music database (e.g. iTunes®), that is accessiblethrough the remote computing device 204. In some embodiments, the remotecomputing device 204 can be a server 206, a communication device with auser interface (e.g. smart phone, tablet, etc.), and the like.

With continued reference to FIG. 38 , methods can also include sending adata file, which can include a first data file 213 and/or a second datafile 211, to a doorbell 202 that is communicatively coupled to theremote computing device 204 (at step 1302). The data file 211, 213 caninclude information that can represent the sound. The data file 211, 213can be sent by the remote computing device 204 to the server 206 to thedoorbell 202. However, in some embodiments the data file 211, 213 can besent by the remote computing device 204 to the doorbell 202. As shown inFIG. 30 , the remote computing device 204 can instruct the server 206,via a wireless communication 230 including a signal 604, to send thedata file 211, 213 to the doorbell 202.

As well, methods can include the doorbell 202 sending the data file 211,213 to the chime 302 that is communicatively coupled to the doorbell 202and remotely located with respect to the doorbell 202 (at step 1304). Inembodiments, the data file 211, 213 is transmitted wirelessly to thechime 302. As well, in embodiments, the data file 211, 213 istransmitted via a wire, such as wire 304 b, as shown in FIG. 38 . Inthis manner, the data file 211, 213 is transmitted via a sound filecommunication 209.

There are various ways that the chime 302 can receive the data file 211,213. In some methods, the data file can be downloaded from a web server,by at least one of the doorbell and the chime. Even still, in someembodiments, the remote computing device 204 can download the data filefrom the web server.

Methods can also include emitting the sound from a speaker 488 b of thechime 302 at least partially in response to the chime 302 receiving thedata file 211, 213 and at least partially in response to the doorbell202 detecting an indication of a presence of a visitor. In this manner,when a visitor visits the building 300, the doorbell system 200 canalert the user by playing any type of customized or prerecorded soundthrough the speaker 488 b of the chime 302.

As well, users of the doorbell system 200 may configure the system 200to emit the sound in accordance with certain parameters, such as soundemission parameters. Accordingly, methods may include receiving, by thedoorbell 202, a sound emission parameter from the remote computingdevice 204. Methods may also include emitting the sound from a speaker488 b of the chime 302 in response to the doorbell system 202determining that the sound emission parameter has been met. In someembodiments, the sound emission parameters may comprise predeterminedtimeframes. For example, the user may elect a sound emission parameter,such as a “do not disturb” parameter, so that the chime 302 does notemit the sound during predetermined hours of the day. As well, inembodiments, the sound emission parameters 302 may comprise specificvisitors. For example, if an unknown visitor or unwelcome visitor (e.g.a door-to-door salesperson) visits the building 300, the sound emissionparameters can instruct the chime 302 not to emit the sound when thedoorbell system 200 detects the presence of the unknown or unwelcomevisitor.

The chime 302 may also be configured to emit an audible message from aspeaker 488 b of the chime 302. The audible message may be a messagethat is spoken by a user and recorded by the doorbell 202, the remotecomputing device 204, and/or the chime 302 itself. In embodiments, auser of the system 200 may wish to transmit an audible message throughthe chime 302. For example, a first resident may speak an audiblemessage such as, “Honey, I'll be home in 30 minutes,” into his/herremote computing device 204. Accordingly, the system 200 may emit theaudible message from the chime 302. Furthermore, in embodiments, thefirst resident my type a message into his/her remote computing device204, and the system 200 may thereby announce an audible message thatcomprises the contents of the typed message.

The chime 302 may also be used to detect motion and capture audio andvideo recordings along an inside portion of a building 300.Specifically, the method may include the motion detector 218 b of thechime 302 detecting a first motion within the inside portion of thebuilding 300. Methods may also include initiating a first communicationsession with the remote computing device 204 in response to the motiondetector 218 b of the chime 302 detecting the first motion. The firstcommunication session may include a first notification of the firstmotion detected by the motion detector of the chime. For example, thechime 302 may detect a prowler within the inside portion of the building300 and the system 200 may thereby send an alert to the remote computingdevice 204 of the user.

In embodiments, the method may also include the motion detector 218 b ofthe chime 302 detecting a second motion within an inside portion of thebuilding 300. It should be appreciated that the second motion may bedifferent from the first motion, or the same. The system 200 may therebyinitiate a second communication session with a second remote computingdevice 204 b in response to the motion detector 218 b of the chime 302detecting the second motion. The second communication session cancomprise a second notification of the second motion detected by thechime 302. In this regard, the first remote computing device 204 a maynot receive the second communication session. Accordingly, the system200 can be configured to alert different users based on differentmotions within the building 300. For example, the chime 302 may detectsuspicious motions and thereby alert the police. In some examples, thechime 302 may detect non-suspicious motions within the building 300,such as the dog walking around, whereupon an alert is sent to the remotecomputing device 204 of the resident.

As well, methods may include selecting more than one sound and sendingthe more than one sound to the chime 302. For example, methods mayinclude selecting a second sound by the remote computing device 204 andthereby sending a second data file comprising second information to thedoorbell 202. The second information may represent the second sound. Aswell, methods may include sending the second data file to the chime 302.

In embodiments, the chime 302 may be configured to emit different soundsin response to different motions detected by the motion detector 218 ofthe doorbell along an outside portion of the building 300. For example,methods may include detecting a first motion, by a motion detector 218of the doorbell 202, along the outside portion of the building 300. Inresponse to the doorbell 202 detecting the first motion, the chime maythereby emit the first sound from a speaker 488 b of the chime 302. Aswell, the motion detector 218 of the doorbell 202 may detect a secondmotion along the outside portion of the building 300. It should beappreciated that the second motion may be different from the firstmotion, or the same. Accordingly, methods may include emitting thesecond sound from the speaker 488 of the chime 302 in response to thedoorbell 202 detecting the second motion. In this manner, the chime 302may be configured to audibly alert people within the building 300 as towhether various motions have been detected by the doorbell 202. Inembodiments, the chime 302 may emit an audible alarm if the doorbell 202detects a suspicious motion. In embodiments, the chime 302 may emit amore friendly sound (e.g. “ding-dong”) if the doorbell 202 detects anon-suspicious motion.

As illustrated in FIG. 39 , this disclosure also includes a method ofusing a doorbell system 200 to emit a sound from a chime 302. The methodmay include selecting a sound by a remote computing device 204 (at step1400) and sending a data file 211, 213 comprising information to thechime 302 (at step 1402). It should be appreciated that the informationmay represent the sound. As well, the data file 211, 213 may be sent tothe chime 302 by the remote computing device 204 and/or the server 206.Furthermore, methods may include detecting an indication of a presenceof a visitor with a doorbell 202 (at step 1404) and emitting the soundfrom a speaker 488 b of the chime 302 in response to detecting theindication of the presence of the visitor (at step 1406).

In addition to detecting motion, the chime 302 and/or the doorbell 202may also capture audio, images and/or video. For example, as shown inFIGS. 35 and 36 , in response to detecting a motion with the motiondetector 218 b of the chime 302, methods may include using the camera208 b of the chime 302 to capture an image and/or video within theinside portion of the building 300. It should be appreciated that theimage and/or video may correspond to the motion detected by the chime302. The image and/or video may thereby be sent to the doorbell 202and/or the remote computing device 204 where the image and/or video canbe viewed via a control application 600 viewed on a display 603 of thecomputing device 204.

As well, the method may use a microphone 484 b of the chime to detectand record audio within the inside portion of the building 300. Theaudio recording may thereby be transmitted to the doorbell 202 and/orthe remote computing device 204, where it can be played back.

As well, the system 200 may be configured to respond in other variousways in response to detecting a motion. For instance, in embodiments, inresponse to detecting a motion with the motion detector 218 b of thechime 302, the doorbell 202 may flash a light 216, 220 to therebyindicate to people passing by the building 300 that there is an eventunderway at the building 300. This may serve useful to personnel (e.g.law enforcement) to thereby determine the exact location of the building300.

The chime 302 may be configured to emit any various type of sound inresponse to any of the previously mentioned components detecting variousevents. In embodiments, the chime 302 may emit a first sound in responseto the doorbell detecting an indication of a presence of a visitor. Aswell, the chime 302 may emit a second sound in response to the motiondetector 218 b detecting motion along the inside portion of the building300. Furthermore, if thermometer 512 b detects that the temperature hasexceeded a predetermined threshold, the chime 302 may emit a thirdsound, such as an announcement of the temperature as detected by thethermometer 528 b. Even still, the chime 302 may be configured to emit afourth sound in response to the humidity sensor 305 detecting that apredetermined humidity has been met.

As illustrated in FIG. 40 , the disclosure also includes methods ofidentifying visitors and emitting different sounds according to thevisitor detected. For example, methods may include recognizing, by adoorbell 202, a first visitor (at step 1500). The method may includeemitting the first sound from the chime 302 in response to recognizingthe first visitor (at step 1502). As well, the method may includeemitting a second sound from the chime in response to not recognizing,by the doorbell 202, a second visitor (at step 1506). It should beappreciated that the first sound and the second sounds can be different,or the same.

In order to detect the visitor, methods may include recognizing thefirst visitor and/or the second visitor by detecting various traits,such as a physical trait of the respective visitor. Physical traits caninclude traits such as a fingerprint, gait, body type, height,silhouette traits, silhouette volume, silhouette dimensions, otherphysical characteristics, and the like. As well, the system 200 may beconfigured to recognize the first visitor and/or the second visitor bythe doorbell 202 detecting a trait of an electronic device in thepossession of the first visitor and/or the second visitor. For example,the system 200 may be configured to detect a first remote computingdevice 204 d associated with the first visitor and/or a second remotecomputing device 204 e associated with the second visitor. In responseto detecting a visitor by physical traits and/or electronic traits, thechime 302 may emit a sound associated with the particular visitor.

The following patent applications, which are incorporated by referenceherein, describe additional embodiments of recognizing visitors: U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/135,133; filed Mar. 18, 2015; andentitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/016,050; filed Jun. 23, 2014; and entitledIDENTITY VERIFICATION USING A SOCIAL NETWORK; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/016,053; filed Jun. 23, 2014; and entitled IDENTITYVERIFICATION USING A SOCIAL NETWORK AND A NAME OF A VISITOR; and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,057; filed Jun. 23, 2014; andentitled IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF FREQUENT AND NON-FREQUENT VISITORS.

Wired Communication Embodiments

In addition to the doorbell system 200 being configured to beelectrically and communicatively coupled via any wireless communicationstandard, the doorbell system 200 may also be electrically andcommunicatively coupled via any type of wired communication standard(e.g. wires). In embodiments, the wires may be the copper wires of thebuilding 300.

As shown in FIG. 36 , the doorbell system 200 may be coupled to adoorbell power supply 312 of a building 300. Accordingly, the doorbellsystem 200 may include a first wire 304 c that may electrically couplethe doorbell 202 to the power supply 312 of the building 300. As well,the doorbell system 200 may include a second wire 304 b that mayelectrically and/or communicatively couple the chime 302 to the doorbell202. As well, the doorbell system 200 may include a third wire 304 athat may electrically couple the chime 302 to the power supply 312 toform a circuit comprising the first wire 304 c, the doorbell 202, thesecond wire 304 b, the chime 302, the third wire 304 a, and the powersupply 312.

Because the doorbell 202 may be communicatively coupled to the chime 302via the second wire 304 b, the chime 302 may be configured to receive afirst data file from the doorbell 202 via the second wire 304 b. Aswell, the doorbell system 200 may include a sound file communication 209that may be sent from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 via the secondwire 304 b. In some embodiments, the sound file communication 209 maycomprise at least one thousand bytes. As well, in embodiments, the soundfile communication 209 may comprise less than one thousand bytes. Itshould also be appreciated that the second wire 304 b may enable two-waycommunication from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 and/or from thechime 302 to the doorbell 202.

In embodiments, the first data file may comprise commands to performvarious operations or put the doorbell system 200 into various settings.For example, the first data file may comprise a command configured toplace the chime 302 into silent mode, such that the chime 302 does notemit a sound. Likewise, the first data file may comprise a commandconfigured to adjust a volume setting of the chime 302. Even still, thefirst data file may comprise a command configured to adjust a durationof a notification sound emitted by the chime 302. Generally, it shouldbe appreciated that the first data file may command the chime 302 toperform any such operation.

Even still, the data file may comprise data gathered by the doorbellsystem 200, such as a video recorded by the doorbell 202. Accordingly,the data file may include information regarding an event that occurredoutside the chime 302, such as the presence of a prowler or an image ofan object associated with a motion detected by the system 200. In thisregard, the data file may comprise identifying information regarding theperson and/or object detected by the chime 302. For example, thedoorbell 202 and/or chime 302 may detect a person located outside orinside the building 300. The chime may then receive the data file thatcomprises the identity of the person as detected by the doorbell 202and/or chime 302. As well, the doorbell 202 may wirelessly receive thefirst data file from the remote computing device 204. In this manner,the doorbell 202 may receive various files, such as audio, and an imageand/or video as recorded by the chime via the first wire. It should alsobe appreciated that the chime 302 may receive the various files from thedoorbell 202 and/or the remote computing device 204.

As illustrated in FIG. 41 , the disclosure also includes a method ofelectrically coupling a doorbell system 200 to a doorbell power supply312 of a building 300. The method may include coupling a doorbell 202 toa remote chime 302 via a first wire 304 c (at step 1600). As well, themethod may include receiving, by the doorbell 202, a first data filecomprising information (at step 1602). As further shown in FIG. 41 , themethod may include sending a second data file comprising the informationfrom the doorbell to the remote chime via the first wire (at step 1604).

The information may represent a sound that was unknown to the chime 302prior to receiving the second data file. In this regard, the method mayinclude emitting the sound from the chime 302 at least partially inresponse to receiving the second data file. In this regard, the methodmay include the chime using the second data file to emit a sound. Insome embodiments, the second data file may comprise at least onethousand bytes. As well, in embodiments, the second data file maycomprise less than one thousand bytes.

As well, the method may include emitting the sound from the chime 302 atleast partially in response to the chime 302 receiving a sound emissionparameter from the doorbell 202 and/or the remote computing device 204.For example, the chime 302 may receive a sound emission parameter toonly emit the sound between the hours of 9 am and 9 pm. Accordingly, ifthe system 200 detects a presence of a visitor between 9 am and 9 pm,and in response to the chime 302 having received the data file, thechime 302 may emit a sound in response to the doorbell system 200 havingdetermined that the sound emission parameter has been met.

Chime-Hub Communication Embodiments

In embodiments, the chime 302 can serve as the communication hub thatlinks the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204, and viceversa. The chime 302 can be configured as the communication hub for avariety of reasons. For example, in certain situations, the doorbellsystem can be configured to detect whether the doorbell 202 comprisesinadequate wireless performance to communicate with a remote computingdevice 204 via at least one of the wireless network and a cellularnetwork. Accordingly, when the doorbell 202 receives inadequate wirelessperformance, the doorbell 202 can thereby communicate with the chime302, which in turn communicates with the remote computing device 204 tothereby communicatively couple the doorbell 202 to the remote computingdevice 204.

Accordingly, and as illustrated in FIG. 42 , methods of using thedoorbell system can include coupling communicatively the chime 302 to awireless network of the building 300 (at step 1700). The chime 302 canthereby be communicatively coupled to the doorbell 202 and to a remotecomputing device 204 (at step 1700).

In embodiments, the doorbell system can be used to detect an indicationof a presence of a visitor and thereby transmit the indication from thedoorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204 via the chime 302. Thepresence of the visitor can be detected via a variety of indications.For example, methods can include detecting, by the doorbell 202, atrigger of a button 212 of the doorbell 202 (at step 1702).

As further illustrated in FIG. 42 , methods can also include sending analert 232 a, such as a visitor alert 232 a, from the doorbell 202 to thechime 302 and thereby sending the visitor alert 232 a from the chime 302to the remote computing device 204 (at step 1706). In this manner, thechime 302 can communicatively couple the doorbell 202 to the remotecomputing device 204. As such, the chime 302 can serve as the hub thatcommunicatively couples the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device204. In some embodiments, the visitor alert 232 a, 232 b can betransmitted via the data file 213, first data file 213 b, second datafile 213 a, and/or the data file 211.

Accordingly, the visitor alert 232 a can be sent from the doorbell 202to the chime 302 and/or the remote computing device 204 by a variety ofmethods. For example, in some embodiments, the doorbell 202 can becommunicatively coupled to the chime 302 via a wire, a wireless networkof the building 300, and/or a cellular network. As well, the chime 302can be communicatively coupled to the remote computing device 204 viathe wireless network of the building 300 and/or a cellular network.Methods can thereby include sending the visitor alert 232 a from thedoorbell 202 to the chime 302 via any combination of transmissionsystems including the wire, wireless network of the building 300, and/orcellular network (at step 1708). As well, methods can include sendingthe visitor alert 232 a from the chime 302 to the remote computingdevice 204 via any combination including the wireless network of thebuilding 300 and/or cellular network (at step 1708).

In some situations, the doorbell 202 may receive a wireless signal, butthe wireless signal may be inadequate to transmit specificcommunications from the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204.In these situations, the chime 302 may serve as the communication hubbetween the doorbell 202 and the remote computing device 204.Accordingly, methods may include sending the visitor alert 232 a fromthe chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to thedoorbell system detecting that the doorbell 202 comprises inadequatewireless performance to send the visitor alert 232 a to the remotecomputing device 204 via at least one of the wireless network and acellular network (at step 1710). Described differently, some methods caninclude sending the visitor alert 232 a from the chime 302 to the remotecomputing device 204 in response to the doorbell system detecting that awireless signal of the doorbell 202 is below a threshold (at step 1712).

The doorbell 202, remote computing device 204, and the chime 302 may belocated in different locations with respect to each other. For example,the doorbell 202 may be located outside of the building 300, the chime302 may be located inside the building 300, and the remote computingdevice 204 can be remotely located with respect to the building 300. Asillustrated in FIG. 43 , methods may include sending the visitor alert232 a from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 while the doorbell 202 islocated outside the building 300 and while the chime 302 is locatedinside the building 300 (at step 1800). As well, methods may includesending the visitor alert 232 a from the chime 302 to the remotecomputing device 204 that may be located inside or outside of thebuilding 300.

The visitor alert 232 a can take various forms that alert a user that avisitor is present at the doorbell 202 or that a visitor has left amessage for the user via the doorbell 202. In this regard, the visitoralert 232 a can comprise a video, an image, a sound, a text message, anemail, a phone call, and the like. With reference to FIG. 42 , methodscan include capturing the video and/or image via a camera assembly 208of the doorbell 202 (at step 1704). As well, in embodiments where thevisitor alert 232 a comprises a sound, methods can include recording thesound with a microphone 484 of the doorbell 202. Methods can eveninclude the visitor making a phone call through the doorbell 202 to theremote computing device 204, whereby the chime 302 communicativelycouples the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204 to enablethe phone call.

Upon the doorbell 202 capturing video, images, sounds, and the like, thedoorbell system can thereby include various communications between thedoorbell 202 and the chime 302, and between the chime 302 and the remotecomputing device 204. For example, the doorbell system can include afirst communication from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302. The firstcommunication can include a video and/or image taken by a camera 208 ofthe doorbell 202. Accordingly, the doorbell system can include a secondcommunication from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204. Thesecond communication can also comprise the video.

Even still, the chime 302 can be communicatively coupled via thewireless network and/or cellular network to other peripheral devices,such as a door lock (e.g. a smart door lock) (at step 1802), a remotesensor (e.g. a fire alarm, a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide detector,and a burglar alarm) (at step 1804), and the like. In this regard, thechime 302 can serve as the communication hub, not only between thedoorbell 202 and the remote computing device 204, but also between thedoorbell 202, the remote computing device 204, the door lock, the remotesensor, and any other peripheral device.

By configuring the chime 302 as the communication hub between suchdevices, the chime 302 may be used to transmit and communicate messagesand instructions between devices. For example, a user may enter aninstruction on a remote computing device 204 to lock a front door lock.The instruction may then be sent from the remote computing device 204 tothe chime 302 whereby the chime 302 sends the instruction to the frontdoor lock to move to a locked position. In response, the front door lockmay lock the front door.

In another example, the chime 302 may detect an indication of an adverseevent and/or receive the indication of the adverse event from the remotesensor. The adverse event can comprise various events, such as a motion,breaking glass, fire, a fire alarm sound, smoke, and the like.Accordingly, methods can include directly detecting an adverse eventwith the chime 302 (at step 1806), such as detecting the sound of glassbreaking via a microphone of the chime 302. As well, methods can includethe chime 302 receiving an indication of the adverse event from theremote sensor that is communicatively coupled to the chime 302, wherebythe remote sensor is configured to detect adverse events. As illustratedin FIG. 43 , methods can include sending an alert 232 b of the adverseevent (e.g. an adverse event alert 232 b) to the remote computing device204 in response to detecting the adverse event (at step 1808). As shouldbe appreciated, the adverse event alert 232 b can comprise anotification of the adverse event to thereby put the user on notice ofthe adverse event.

The chime 302 can be configured to communicate with other devices, suchas the remote computing device 204, remote sensors, and the like, viaany wireless personal area network. For example, the chime 302 can beconfigured to communicate via Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, and thelike. In this manner the chime 302 can communicate with Bluetooth lowenergy tags.

In various embodiments, the chime 302 may include a light configurableto illuminate an area or provide ambient lighting for comfort, such as anightlight. The light may comprise the diagnostic light 216, the powerindicator light 220, and/or any other light electrically coupled to thechime 302. As well, the light may be activated by various means, such asin response to an audible message from a user (e.g. “Max, turn on thelight”). Even still, the light may be configurable to activate inresponse to external conditions, such as darkness of an adjacent area,much like a nightlight.

Referring now to FIG. 36 , a system can include a remote sensor 418 thatis located outside of the doorbell 202, outside of the chime 302, andoutside of the remote computing device 204. The remote sensor 418 can belocated inside or outside of the building 300. The remote sensor 418 caninclude a speaker 488 c that can emit sounds 236 (e.g., alarm sounds). Amicrophone 484 b (shown in FIG. 31 ) of the chime 302 can detect (e.g.,“hear”) the sounds 236. Then, the chime 302 can send a notification tothe remote computing device 204 in response to detecting the sounds 236and/or in response to receiving a wireless communication 230 from theremote sensor 418.

Remote sensors 418 can include a fire alarm, a smoke alarm, a carbonmonoxide detector, a motion sensor, a glass-break sensor, and a burglaralarm. For example, the chime 302 can listen for a smoke alarm. Then,the chime 302 can send a notification to the remote computing device 204in response to hearing the alarm sound of the smoke alarm.

Some embodiments include sending a second alert from the chime 302 tothe remote computing device 204 in response to receiving, by the chime302, a communication from the remote sensor 418. Several embodimentsinclude coupling communicatively the chime 302 to a remote sensor 418.The remote sensor 418 can comprise at least one of a fire detector, asmoke detector, and a carbon monoxide detector. Embodiments can alsoinclude sending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remotecomputing device 204 in response to receiving, by the chime 302, acommunication from the remote sensor 418.

Several embodiments comprise detecting, by a microphone 484 b (shown inFIG. 31 ) of the chime 302, an alarm sound emitted by a remote sensor418, and then sending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remotecomputing device 204 in response to detecting the alarm sound. Someembodiments include detecting, by a microphone 484 b of the chime 302,an alarm sound emitted by a remote smoke detector (e.g., 418), and thensending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remote computing device204 in response to detecting the alarm sound. Several embodimentsinclude detecting, by a microphone 484 b of the chime 302, an alarmsound emitted by a remote motion sensor device (e.g., 418), and thensending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remote computing device204 in response to detecting the alarm sound.

Burglars often break glass windows and glass doors to enter homes andother buildings. Some embodiments include detecting, by a microphone 484b of the chime 302, glass breaking, and then sending a second alert fromthe chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response todetecting the glass breaking.

Some systems include a remote sensor 418 having at least one of a firedetector, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a motiondetector, and a glass-break detector. The remote sensor 418 can becommunicatively coupled to the chime 302 (e.g., via wirelesscommunication 230). Systems can include a third communication from theremote sensor 418 to the chime 302.

Several systems include a chime 302 that has a microphone 484 b (shownin FIG. 31 ). Systems can also include a remote sensor 418, an alarmsound 236 emitted by the remote sensor 418, and a third communicationsent from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in responseto the microphone 484 b of the chime 302 detecting the alarm sound 236.

The following patent is incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No.7,583,191, entitled SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE OF SAME, andfiled Nov. 14, 2006.

Remote Commuting Device and Appliance Embodiments

The use of communication systems incorporating “smart appliances,” suchas refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, dishwashers, laundry machines,dryers, and vacuum cleaners—to name but a few examples—have become morepopular with the increase of computing power and network capability. Asmart appliance is an electronic device, generally connected to otherdevices or networks via different wireless protocols such as Bluetooth,NFC, WiFi, 3G, etc., that can operate to some extent interactively andautonomously. In those cases where one is unable to access the computingdevices referenced above, communication between a remotely locatedperson and a visitor can occur directly through a smart appliance over awireless network. Incorporating smart appliances into the communicationsystem 200 provides the remotely located individual (e.g., a homeowner)a more secure, reliable, and convenient way of detecting and interactingwith visitors. Throughout this disclosure the terms “smart appliance”and “appliance” be interpreted to mean the same thing and can be usedinterchangeably.

FIG. 44 illustrates a front view of an electronic doorbell embodiment.The electronic doorbell 202 can include an outer housing 224configurable to couple to a building 300. In some embodiments, theelectronic doorbell 202 includes a camera assembly 208 coupled to theouter housing 224. The camera 208 can be configurable to capture animage 906.

In some embodiments, the electronic doorbell 202 includes a microphone484 coupled to the outer housing 224. The microphone 484 can audiblydetect a first noise 3 a. The electronic doorbell 202 can include abutton 212 coupled to the outer housing 224. The button 212 can enable avisitor to sound an electronic chime 320. The electronic doorbell 202can wirelessly communicate with an appliance 902 located within thebuilding 300.

As shown in FIG. 44 , the system 200 can include an electronic doorbell202. The system 200 can display an image 906 captured by the camera 208of the electronic doorbell 202 on a display screen 904 of the appliance902. For example, the electronic doorbell 202 may capture the image 906of a visitor located at the front door adjacent to the electronicdoorbell 202, and the electronic doorbell 202 may send (directly orindirectly) the image 906 to a smart refrigerator whereby the smartrefrigerator displays the image 906 on a display screen of therefrigerator.

The system 200 may be configured to enable two-way communication,whereby the person located near the appliance 902 can not only see theimage 906 of the visitor, but also be able to speak to the visitor.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 44 , a microphone 484 of the electronicdoorbell 202 can detect a first noise 3 a from the visitor and the firstnoise 3 a can be transmitted to the appliance 902, whereby the firstnoise 3 a is emitted by a speaker 908 of the appliance 902. As well, amicrophone 910 of the appliance 902 can detect a second noise 3 b fromthe visitor and the second noise 3 b can be transmitted to the appliance902, whereby the second noise 3 b is emitted by a speaker 908 of theappliance 902.

As shown in FIG. 44 , the system 200 may be configured to emit a visitoralert 914, whereby the electronic doorbell 202 wirelessly transmits avisitor alert 914 to the appliance 902. In some embodiments, the visitoralert 914 comprises one of a notification that a visitor is present atthe electronic doorbell 202 and a notification that the visitor has lefta message via the electronic doorbell 202. In this way, a user may knowwhich visitor was present at the home, what their purpose was, and whenthey visited. For instance, one may not be available to accept a packagefrom a delivery service. However, the system 200 can detect the deliveryperson's presence via the visitor alert 914 and the delivery person canleave a message via the electronic doorbell 202 as to scheduling analternate time for delivery of a package or, in some cases, instructionsfor where the package has been placed. The delivery person's presenceand identity (detected via the camera 208) can be transmitted by thesystem 200 and displayed on the display screen 904 of the appliance 902via an alert message, such as “One Missed Visitor.” Furthermore, thedelivery person's message can be emitted by the speaker 908 of theappliance 902.

Additionally, FIG. 44 shows an embodiment of the system 200 whereby thevisitor alert 914 is sent from the electronic doorbell 202 to theappliance 902 via the wireless network 916 of the building 300. Forinstance, the visitor alert 914 can be transmitted from the electronicdoorbell 202 to the appliance 902 via a WiFi networking system. In theevent the WiFi system is inoperable, the electronic doorbell 202 can beconnected to a wireless cellular system via a mobile “hotspot” device,such as an iPhone, which establishes wireless connectivity to WiFienabled devices (e.g., appliance 902) via the mobile carrier's network.

Additionally, FIG. 44 also illustrates the visitor alert 914 having anaudible notification emitted by a speaker 908 of the appliance 902. Theaudible notification can take innumerable forms, such as a preprogrammedmessage emitted from the speaker 908 of the appliance 902 indicating thevisitor's presence, such as “Visitor Detected.” If the system 200recognizes the visitor via the doorbell camera's 208 facial recognitionsoftware, the audible notification emitted by the speaker 908 of theappliance 902 can specify the visitor's identify (e.g., “Erin Keyes isat the door.”) The user may then view and verify the visitor's identityon the display screen 904 of the appliance 902.

Furthermore, FIG. 44 illustrates that the visitor alert 914 can evencomprise a visual notification 912 displayed on the display screen 904of the appliance 902. As well, the visual notification 912 can include avideo and/or a still image. Specifically, the visitor alert 912 cancomprise a live-video feed of the visitor standing adjacent the doorwayas detected by the camera 208. In the event that the visitor's facecannot be identified via the live feed—the visitor might be movingaround too quickly for identification, or may have already left thedoorway before the user can identify the visitor on the display screen904 of the appliance 902—a still image of the visitor can be displayedon the display screen 904 of the appliance 902 for closer examination.This still image can be produced by pausing the live feed through aplayback function. Alternatively, the system 200 can select a defaultstill image of the visitor that is recorded by the camera 208 anddisplayed on the display screen 904 of the appliance 902. This defaultstill image will be recorded by the camera 208 after a predeterminedtime when the visitor's presence is detected by the system 200.

Additionally, the display screen 904 of the appliance 902 can identifyand record the presence of numerous visitors while the user is away formthe building. For example, a user who is on vacation may not be able toreceive several visitors at her home. The camera 208 of the electronicdoorbell 202 can detect and record the presence of these visitors.Accordingly, the visual notification 912 can show at least one of astill image and a video of these visitors, as well as other pertinentinformation, such as the visitor's identity (if known), and their dateand time of arrival. (E.g., “Visitor 1: Aaron Keys arrived on Dec. 25,2016 at 1:30 pm: Visitor 2: Tommy No arrived on Dec. 26, 2016 at 1:00am.”) Even still, the system 200 can provide advanced information thatmay be pertinent to the homeowner. (E.g. “Visitors 3 & 4: George andXiyan arrived holding hands on Dec. 31, 2016 at 11:00 pm: Visitor 5:Unknown person arrived wearing a purple uniform and holding a package onJan. 2, 2017 at 12:13 pm.)

The system 200 may be configured to send two-way wireless communicationfrom the electronic doorbell 202 to the appliance 902 (e.g. wirelesscommunication 230 a) and from the appliance 902 to the electronicdoorbell 202 (e.g. wireless communication 230 b). Accordingly, in someembodiments, when the electronic doorbell 202 receives the wirelesscommunication 230 b from the appliance 902, at least one of the camera208 and microphone 484 can change from a sleep mode to an alert modethat consumes more power than the sleep mode. For instance, the user caninitiate an “On-Demand” live-feed of the doorway by speaking a commandmessage into the speaker 908 of the appliance 902, such as “Show melive-feed.” This message can be transmitted from the appliance 902 via awireless communication 230 b over the wireless network 916 to theelectronic doorbell 202. At this point, the camera 208 and themicrophone 484 of the electronic doorbell 202 can be awakened from asleep mode to an alert mode whereby the electronic doorbell camera 208can be enabled to record video and the microphone 484 can be enabled torecord audio data.

Now with reference to FIG. 45 , the electronic doorbell 202 can beconfigured to allow two-way audio communication 380 between theappliance 902 and the electronic doorbell 202 via a communication hub378. For example, in certain situations, the system 200 can beconfigured to detect whether the doorbell 202 comprises inadequatewireless performance to communicate with a remote computing device 204or the appliance 902 over the wireless network 916. Accordingly, whenthe doorbell 202 receives inadequate wireless performance, the doorbell202 can thereby communicate with a chime 302, which in turn communicateswith the appliance 902 to thereby communicatively couple the doorbell202 to the appliance 902.

As shown in FIG. 46 , the system 200 can include a visitor alert 914received by the appliance 902. The visitor alert 914 can include anotification that a visitor is present at the electronic doorbell 202and/or a notification that the visitor has left a message via theelectronic doorbell 202. As previously mentioned, the appliance 902 caninclude a display screen 904 and a speaker 908, to thereby notify theuser via a visitor alert 914 that a visitor has been detected by theelectronic doorbell 202. For example, a user who is vacuuming his livingroom may be unable to hear the electronic chime 320 when the electronicdoorbell 202 detects the presence of a visitor. However, the vacuumcleaner (appliance 902) will notify the user via a visitor alert 914 onthe display screen 904 of said vacuum cleaner, notifying the user thatthe visitor is present at the electronic doorbell 202, or that thevisitor has left a message via the electronic doorbell 202.

As referenced above, several embodiments include “On-Demand” service.With respect to FIG. 46 , software can be implemented which starts avideo and audio feed On-Demand, which can be viewed from at least one ofthe remote computing device 204 or the smart appliance 902. For example,a user of the remote computing device 204 who wishes to determinewhether there is any activity occurring near the electronic doorbell 202can initiate communication via the speaker 488 or the camera 208 of theelectronic doorbell 202. Specifically, the user can initiate a livevideo and audio feed via the camera 208, microphone 484, and/or speaker488 from the electronic doorbell 202 by pressing an “on-demand” button450 on a user interface of the remote computing device 204. By pressingthe “on-demand” button 450, the user can access live video and/or audiofrom at least one of the remote computing device 204, e.g., smartphoneor tablet, and the display screen 904 of the appliance 414.

Additionally, one can access an “On-Demand” live video feed of theelectronic doorbell 202 by speaking a predetermined word into themicrophone 910 of the appliance 902. Accordingly, a live video feed ofthe electronic doorbell 202 can be shown on the display screen 904 ofthe appliance 902. For example, a user can initiate a live video feed byspeaking an audible message 417, such as “show me live feed” into themicrophone of at least one of the remote computing device 204 or theappliance 902.

FIG. 47 illustrates the system 200 comprising a first audible message606 a sent by visitor 714 and received by the microphone 484 of theelectronic doorbell 202. The first audible message 606 b can be emittedby a speaker 908 of the appliance 902. For example, a visitor can speakan audible message 606 a, such as “Hello, is anybody home?” into themicrophone 488 of the electronic doorbell 202. This first audiblemessage 606 b can then be emitted by a speaker 908 of the appliance 902,notifying the user of the visitor's presence. Additionally, the audiblemessage 606 c can also be emitted from the speaker of the remotecomputing device 204.

Furthermore, FIG. 47 illustrates how the visitor and user can have aconversation via the electronic doorbell 202 and the appliance 902.Specifically, once the user receives the first audible message 606 b onthe speaker 908 of the appliance 902, the user can send a second audiblemessage 608 a (e.g., “Yes, I'm here!”) received by a microphone 910 ofthe appliance 902. The second audible message 608 b can concurrently beemitted by a speaker 488 of the electronic doorbell 202. To provide evengreater coverage of the system 200, the second audible message 608 c canalso be emitted on the speaker of the remote computing device 204.

Accordingly, FIG. 47 demonstrates how a resident of the building 300 canuse a smartphone to directly converse with the visitor via theelectronic doorbell 202. Specifically, the user can send a third audiblemessage 630 a received by a microphone 430 of the remote computingdevice 204 (e.g. a smartphone or tablet). The third audible message 630b can concurrently be emitted by the speaker 908 of the appliance 902.As previously stated, the first audible message 606 c and second audiblemessage 608 b are emitted by the speaker 810 of the remote computingdevice 204. In this way, the user can integrate her remote computingdevice 204 into the system 200 to provide greater coverage and security.

In some embodiments, a visitor 713 can send a first audible message 606a via the microphone 484 of the electronic doorbell 202, which can beemitted by the speaker 908 of the appliance 902 and/or the speaker 810of the remote computing device 204. A first user 720 can send a secondaudible message 608 a via the microphone 910 of the appliance 902, whichcan be emitted by the speaker 810 of the remote computing device 204and/or the speaker 488 of the electronic doorbell 202 (second audiblemessage 608 b and 608 c, respectively). A second user 721 can send athird audible message 630 a via the microphone 430 of the remotecomputing device 204, which can be emitted by the speaker 488 of theelectronic doorbell 202 and/or the speaker 908 of the appliance 902 asthird audible message 630 a and 630 b respectively. Accordingly, thefirst and second user can hold a real time conversation with thevisitor, providing greater coverage and security.

FIG. 48 shows an embodiment intended to provide enhanced privacy andsecurity for users (e.g. residents of the building 300). For example, insome embodiments, the electronic doorbell 202 may receive an audiblemessage 715 from at least one of a speaker 810 of a remote computingdevice 204 and a speaker 908 of an appliance 902 located within abuilding 300.

In some embodiments, the audible message 715 is not emitted by a speaker488 of the electronic doorbell 202. The audible message 715 may be apredetermined message (e.g. “Call 911”). In this regard, if the userfeels that his or her safety is threatened by the presence of thevisitor, they user may speak the predetermined message. Accordingly, thepredetermined message may not be emitted by the speaker of theelectronic doorbell 202, so as to protect the safety and privacy of theuser from the visitor, and instead the system 200 may perform an event,such as contact local emergency personnel to notify them of thesituation. For example, the doorbell 202 may detect a visitor at thefront door at 11:30 μm. The resident of the home may be a single womenwho is afraid to answer the door because the visitor is a threateninglooking man and it is late at night. The woman may speak the followingmessage into the microphone 910 of the appliance 902 and/or themicrophone of the remote computing device 204, “Call police! Someone istrying to break into my home!” The system 200 may thereby call thepolice, but to protect the safety of the resident, the speaker 404 ofthe doorbell 202 will not emit the message, “Call police! Someone istrying to break into my home!” Instead the speaker 404 of the doorbell202 may emit no sound or the speaker 404 may emit a different messagealtogether. Accordingly, the visitor may have no idea that the residentjust notified the local law enforcement.

As shown in FIG. 48 the audible message 715 may be a first audiblemessage 715 a and/or a second audible message 715 b whereby eithermessage comprises at least one of a predetermined word and apredetermined message. For instance, if a visitor 713 is determined tobe unfriendly by the system 200, at least one of the first user 720 andsecond user 721 may utter a predetermined word or message (715 a and 715b), such as “Alert!, Alert!” into at least one of the microphone of theremote computing device 204 and the microphone 910 of the appliance 902.

For example, FIG. 48 discloses an action 716 performed by the electronicdoorbell, wherein the action is performed in response to the system 200receiving the audible message 715. Upon detection of the unfriendlyvisitor via the electronic doorbell 202, the first user may utter apredetermined word 715 a or message, such as “Alert, Alert!” into themicrophone the microphone 910 of the appliance 902. This predeterminedword or audible message 715 a will trigger an event 716, which may be anaudible command issued from the speaker 488 of the system 200, such as“Leave the Premises Now!” to warn the unfriendly visitor away. In otherembodiments, the event 716 may constitute a notification to the policefor assistance.

As well, the action 716 performed by the system 200 can comprise atleast one of recording an image with the camera 208 of the electronicdoorbell 202, recording a noise with the microphone 484 of theelectronic doorbell 202, and illuminating a light 730 coupled to thebuilding 300. Additionally, the system 200 may turn on the light 730coupled to the building 300 in response to receiving the predeterminedaudible message 715. For instance, a distressing audible message 715,such as “Alert! Alert!” can trigger flashing lights 730 on the side ofthe building 300, which would obviously draw attention. By contrast, aless distressing predetermined audible message 715, such as “Welcome!,”may cause the electronic doorbell system 700 to emit a non-flashingsofter light 730 onto the visitor.

In some embodiments, the speaker 810 of the remote computing device 204can be configured to emit a first warning sound 720 a in response to theinitiation of the event. In some embodiments, the speaker 908 of theappliance 902 can be configured to emit a second warning sound 720 b inresponse to the initiation of the event. For example, if the system 200transmits an alert that indicates an emergency, then the system 200 canemit a first warning sound 720 a from the speaker 810 of the remotecomputing device 204, as well as a second warning sound 720 b from thespeaker 908 of the appliance 902 that indicates danger. The referencedspeakers can be configured to emit a wide-range of sounds and variousdecibel levels depending on the application. For example, a more severealert can be louder than a less severe alert. The system 200 can alertan occupant of suspicious smoke by saying the location of the smoke andthe time the smoke was detected.

For instance, the speaker 810 of the remote computing device 204 and thespeaker 908 of the appliance 902 can emit a first warning sound 720 aand a second warning sound 720 b, respectively), such as “Danger,Danger, Danger” to alert an occupant of the building 300. The soundemitted by the system 200 can be unique to the type of alert. Forexample, if a fire alert is transmitted by the electronic doorbell 202,then the system 200 can emit a voice that says “Fire, Fire, Fire” andrepeats at a set interval on the speaker 810 of the remote computingdevice 204 and the speaker 908 of the appliance 902. Various sounds canalso be used to selectively alert other occupants. For example, a highfrequency sound of 24 kHz to 45 kHz can selectively alert canineoccupants of the building 300 without alerting a human. In anotherexample, a sound from 17 kHz to 23 kHz may selectively alert childrenbut not adults. Various patterns of sounds can also be produced. Forexample, the “SOS” Morse code pattern may be used to indicate distress.

Interpretation

None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any ofthe steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can beused. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/ordevices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, orexample in this specification can be combined or used with or instead ofany other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/ordevices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart,or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are notintended to be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting.The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the fullscope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headingsand subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” mayinclude embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodimentsdescribed in other sections may apply to and be combined withembodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.

Some of the devices, systems, embodiments, and processes use computers.Each of the routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described inthe preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partiallyautomated by, code modules executed by one or more computers, computerprocessors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions. Thecode modules may be stored on any type of non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device,such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disc,and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implementedpartially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results ofthe disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently orotherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g.,volatile or non-volatile storage. The various features and processesdescribed above may be used independently of one another, or may becombined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinationsare intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition,certain method, event, state, or process blocks may be omitted in someimplementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein arealso not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, orstates relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that areappropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed inan order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps maybe combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events maybe performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks orevents may be added to or removed from the disclosed exampleembodiments. The example systems and components described herein may beconfigured differently than described. For example, elements may beadded to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed exampleembodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,”“might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orsteps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,”“including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are usedinclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additionalelements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or”is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so thatwhen used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or”means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctivelanguage such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the contextas used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X,Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended toimply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least oneof Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or”applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced withA, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in anothersentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A andB, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include Band C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can includeonly B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodimentsinclude A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessaryredundancy.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodimentshave been presented by way of example only, and are not intended tolimit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in theforegoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature,characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable.Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodiedin a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions,substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systemsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic doorbell comprising: an outer housing configurable to couple to a building; a camera coupled to the outer housing, the camera configurable to capture an image; a microphone coupled to the outer housing, the microphone configurable to detect a noise; a speaker coupled to the outer housing, the speaker configurable to emit sound; and a motion detector coupled to the outer housing, the motion detector configurable to detect motion along an outside portion of the building, wherein the electronic doorbell is configurable to: enable a visitor to cause a chime to sound; wirelessly receive a notification from an appliance located within the building; in response to receiving the notification, change a component of the electronic doorbell from a sleep mode to an alert mode, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of the camera, the microphone, the speaker, and the motion detector; and cause the appliance to display the image captured by the camera on a display screen of the appliance.
 2. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, wherein the speaker of the electronic doorbell comprises a first speaker, and wherein the electronic doorbell is further configurable to cause a second speaker coupled to the appliance to emit the noise detected by the microphone.
 3. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, wherein the electronic doorbell is configurable to wirelessly transmit a visitor alert to the appliance, wherein the visitor alert comprises a notification selected from the group consisting of a notification that the visitor is present at the electronic doorbell, a notification that the visitor has left a message via the electronic doorbell, and combinations thereof.
 4. The electronic doorbell of claim 3, wherein the electronic doorbell is configured to wirelessly transmit the visitor alert to the appliance via a wireless network of the building.
 5. The electronic doorbell of claim 3, wherein the speaker of the electronic doorbell comprises a first speaker, and wherein the electronic doorbell is configured to cause a second speaker coupled to the appliance to emit an audible notification comprising the visitor alert.
 6. The electronic doorbell of claim 3, wherein the visitor alert is configurable to cause a display screen of the appliance to display a visual notification comprising the visitor alert, the visual notification comprising at least one of a video and a still image.
 7. The electronic doorbell of claim 6, wherein the visual notification comprises the video, and wherein the electronic doorbell is further configured to transmit the video to the appliance via a wireless network of the building.
 8. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, wherein the electronic doorbell is configured to enable two-way audio communication between the appliance and the electronic doorbell via a communication hub.
 9. An electronic doorbell system comprising: an electronic doorbell comprising an outer housing configurable to couple to a building, the electronic doorbell comprising: a camera coupled to the outer housing; a microphone coupled to the outer housing; a speaker coupled to the outer housing; and a motion detector coupled to the outer housing; and an appliance configurable to: wirelessly receive a visitor alert from the doorbell, wherein the visitor alert comprises a notification selected from the group consisting of a notification that a visitor is present at the electronic doorbell and a first notification that the visitor has left a message via the electronic doorbell, wherein the electronic doorbell is configurable to: cause a chime to sound in response to receiving user input from the visitor; wirelessly communicate with the appliance; wirelessly receive a second notification from the appliance; in response to receiving the second notification, change a component of the electronic doorbell from a sleep mode to an alert mode, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of the camera, the microphone, the speaker, and the motion detector; and cause the appliance to display an image captured by the camera on a display screen of the appliance.
 10. The electronic doorbell system of claim 9, wherein the appliance is located within the building, and wherein the appliance comprises an appliance selected from the group consisting of a refrigerator, a range, a microwave, a dishwasher, a laundry machine, a dryer, and a vacuum.
 11. The electronic doorbell system of claim 10, further comprising: a communication hub that communicatively couples the electronic doorbell to the appliance, wherein the chime is communicatively coupled to the communication hub; and a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the communication hub.
 12. The electronic doorbell system of claim 11, wherein the speaker of the electronic doorbell comprises a first speaker, wherein the microphone of the electronic doorbell is configurable to detect an audible message, and wherein a second speaker coupled to the appliance is configured to emit the audible message.
 13. The electronic doorbell system of claim 12, wherein the audible message comprises a first audible message, wherein the microphone of the electronic doorbell comprises a first microphone, wherein a second microphone coupled to the appliance is configurable to detect a second audible message, and wherein the first speaker of the electronic doorbell is configurable to emit the second audible message.
 14. The electronic doorbell system of claim 13, wherein a third speaker coupled to the remote computing device is configured to emit the first audible message and the second audible message; wherein a third microphone coupled to the remote computing device is configured to detect a third audible message; and wherein the first speaker of the electronic doorbell and the second speaker coupled to the appliance are configured to emit the third audible message.
 15. An electronic doorbell comprising: an outer housing configurable to couple to a building, a camera coupled to the outer housing, a speaker coupled to the outer housing, a first microphone coupled to the outer housing, and a motion detector coupled to the outer housing, wherein the electronic doorbell is configured to: receive an audible safety message detected by a second microphone of a mobile computing device or a third microphone of an appliance located within the building, wherein the speaker of the electronic doorbell is not configured to emit the audible safety message; enable a visitor to sound a chime; wirelessly receive a notification from the appliance; in response to receiving the notification, change a component of the electronic doorbell from a sleep mode to an alert mode, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of the camera, the microphone, the first speaker, and the motion detector; and cause the appliance to display an image captured by the camera on a display screen of the appliance.
 16. The electronic doorbell of claim 15, wherein the audible safety message comprises one selected from the group consisting of a predetermined word and a predetermined message.
 17. The electronic doorbell of claim 15, wherein the electronic doorbell is configured to perform an action in response to receiving the audible safety message, wherein the action comprises an action selected from the group consisting of: capturing, by the camera of the electronic doorbell, the image, recording, by the first microphone of the electronic doorbell, a noise, emitting, by the speaker of the electronic doorbell, a predetermined message, and causing a light coupled to the building to illuminate.
 18. The electronic doorbell of claim 15, wherein the electronic doorbell is configurable to cause the speaker to emit a noise detected by the third microphone coupled to the appliance.
 19. The electronic doorbell of claim 15, wherein the appliance is located within the building, and wherein the appliance comprises an appliance selected from the group consisting of a refrigerator, a range, a microwave, a dishwasher, a laundry machine, a dryer, and a vacuum.
 20. The electronic doorbell of claim 15, wherein, when the component is in the alert mode, the component consumes more power than when the component is in the sleep mode. 